KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) has criticised the sale of vapes through unsupervised vending machines, calling it irresponsible and a violation of public health laws.
Its senior vice-chairman Datuk Seri Ayub Yaakob said that selling vapes without supervision, as observed with vending machines, blatantly violates Clause 10(1) of the Public Health Protection (Tobacco Products) Act 2023 (Act 852).
"The method of selling vapes without supervision like this is feared to make it easier for children and teenagers to access smoking devices getting involved in drug addiction and abuse in this country."
He further highlighted that this practice also breaches Clause 14(1) of the same act, which prohibits the sale of smoking substances, tobacco substitutes, or smoking devices to individuals born on or after January 1, 2007.
Ayub pointed to a troubling trend among school students, citing a recent study by Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM).
The study found that 65 per cent of 152 school students in Kelantan were using vapes mixed with a substance known as 'magic mushroom', which poses more severe effects than methamphetamine and syabu.
He urged the Health Ministry to swiftly enforce Public Health Protection (Tobacco Products) Act 2023 (Act 852) to prevent vape addiction among the younger generation and to combat drug abuse within the community.