Professionals: Target SHOULD BE ON ENFORCEMENT
According to pulmonologist Helmy Haja Mydin, the current emphasis should be on enforcing the laws as they become law as the policy becomes effective, both in terms of sales and use.
He said that whenever there are attempts to increase cigarette control laws, the lack of protection is often cited as a cause for disappointment, and therefore, an excuse to not create new regulations.
According to Helmy,” It is therefore extremely important for the Ministry of Health and its related partners to show the success of police efforts,” as this will affect support for more comprehensive policy like a complete ban on vaping products.  ,
” With suitable protection, there should be much less selling and one would assume fewer new customers as well”, he added.  ,
Helmy may also help a total ban on vaping, citing its effects on health.  ,
There is growing evidence that it harms both the human body and our mental wellness, as well as that it serves as a gateway to other types of habit.
It is especially concerning to observe children become dependent as a result of vaping, he said.  ,
Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh reported about 20 000 cases of individuals vaping in schools last year.
In a parliament question day session on Tuesday ( Feb 4), Wong said , 19, 450 were caught, about seven times more than the number of students caught tobacco,  , citing statistics from the Learners Discipline System.
According to Dzulkefly, the current priority is to tighten controls, including requiring product registration with the authorities, which has led to the ban on 80 % of vape and e-cigarette products.
However, Azrul pointed out that the online store that was intended to be immediately prohibited by Act 852 is still operational and accessible.  ,
” It shows the lack of effectiveness in enforcement, “he said, pointing out one website that continued to sell their products online.  ,
He claimed that before Act 852 was passed, there were an explosion of retail establishments selling high nicotine vapes and e-cigarettes in various stores and even gas stations, and that the sale of these items to minors was also permitted.  ,
He said,” It is very likely that Malaysian teens aged 13 to 17 have a higher prevalence of e-cigarette and vape use than the 14.9 % recorded in 2022.”
Although the Federal Government hasn’t completely outlawed vapes, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, the country’s ruler, decreed that Johor would stop issuing sales licenses for the products in 2016.
CNA had previously stated that even then, vape products were still being sold in public, and that enforcement remained difficult, especially given the limited resources available to the state government.  ,