Malaysia’s Ministry of Health is working on a Tobacco Bill to effectively control traditional tobacco, vapes, HNB and pipes, especially in the hope that “adolescents under the age of 18 will not be able to use these products,” Malaysian Health Minister Zukifiri said Wednesday.
The World Health Organization (WHO) released a report on the 26th that electronic cigarettes are “undoubtedly harmful” and called on governments to strengthen the supervision of electronic cigarettes.
Zukifiri said in an interview after participating in an activity that day that the bill will be submitted to the Malaysian prosecution for review in the near future, hoping to solve the problem that the current relevant laws can not effectively control related products. He also revealed that the Ministry of Health has set up a committee led by Vice Minister Li Wencai to discuss the issue of strengthening the supervision of electronic cigarettes.
Malaysian media also reported recently that many electronic cigarettes or “cigarette candy” (producing smoke like smoking after eating) and other items appeared on Malaysian campuses. The Malaysian Youth Health Survey 2018 also shows that about 13.8% of Malaysian adolescents smoke.
Zukifiri said that the Ministry of Health will set up relevant committees and take comprehensive action to curb the proliferation of electronic cigarette or vape among students.
