KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is considering banning the sale of electronic cigarettes, its health minister said on Monday (Oct 14), citing growing reports of deaths in the United States linked to e-cigarettes and vaping.
As of Friday, US authorities had reported 29 deaths and 1,299 cases of respiratory illnesses linked to the use of e-cigarettes and vaporisers, amid calls for stricter regulation.
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Malaysia was already finalising a law that would ban the use of all smoking products, including electronic cigarettes and vaporisers, among minors and prohibit their promotion and advertising.
But it is now considering a complete ban on the new devices, health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad told parliament.
"A detailed study is required to review the need for enforcing a total ban on the sale of electronic cigarettes and vapes," he said, adding that the ministry had set up a committee to look into the matter.
Tobacco products in Malaysia are currently regulated under the Food Act while the sale of vaporiser liquids containing nicotine has been banned since 2015.
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However, there are no specific regulations governing the sale aRead More – Source
