KUALA LUMPUR: The Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 officially came into effect on Oct 1, with the aim of protecting the public, especially children, from the dangers of tobacco products and electronic cigarettes, including vape.
However, despite these new regulations, the online sale of vape products continues.
Kota Melaka member of parliament Khoo Poay Tiong highlighted this issue, saying that vape products remain accessible on online shopping platforms.
"Online control is challenging. YB Minister (Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad), I just printed an advertisement selling vape products that I found on an online shopping platform about an hour and a half ago.
"Sellers are still selling them, even though there's an act that prohibits online sales of vape. If you search for 'vape', you won't find it. Instead, they use alternative terms like 'wape', 'battery' or 'toy'.
"They are still actively selling these products online," he said during a special chamber of firm measures to regulate the vape industry.
Dr Dzulkefly said the Health Ministry has developed a 5-Year Advocacy Plan to protect non-smokers, particularly children and adolescents, from starting smoking and to help them remain smoke-free throughout their lives.
"This plan also assists smokers in quitting by providing access to smoking cessation services. This goal can be achieved through collaboration among various government agencies, non-governmental organisations and the private sector, following a whole-of-nation approach."
The Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) which was gazetted on Feb 2, took effect on Oct 1.
It implements stringent regulations on the use, sale and display of smoking products across Malaysia.
Under the act, proprietors of non-smoking areas are required to display a clear warning sign against smoking following specifications. These signs must also contain a "clear and scannable QR code" for verification purposes.
The act has declared various places, including entertainment centres, hospitals, clinics, public toilet, and air-conditioned shops, as non-smoking zones.
These measures extend to lifts, launderettes, public transport terminals and specific areas within airports.
It also bans sales within 40 metres of any school or university boundary and at temporary markets or stalls, targeting the accessibility of smoking products to youths.
Additionally, the sale of tobacco products would be strictly prohibited online and via vending machines.