The Malaysian state of Sarawak is considering banning the sale of vape products over concerns that they could be used for drug abuse. Youth, Sports and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said vapes had become a national problem, especially after vape products were found to be laced with illegal drugs. The proposal received full support at the July 16 meeting of the Drug Action Council. Nonetheless, federal legislation would be needed to make vapes illegal.
Core Watch:
- The Malaysian state of Sarawak is considering banning the sale of vape products, fearing they could be used for drug use.
- Vape products are laced with illegal drugs and have become a national problem.
- The proposal received full support at the Drug Action Council meeting.
- Federal legislation is needed to make vapes illegal.
The Malaysian state of Sarawak is considering banning the sale of vape products because of concerns that they could be used for drug use, said Malaysia’s Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneurship Development, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, according to a July 14 report in The Straits Times.
He mentioned that the proposal received full support at the July 16 meeting of the Action Council on Drug Purge (ACDP) in Silian, Suria Street and Miri. Also noted that vapes are a national problem, especially after vape products were found to be laced with illegal drugs.
- “Previously, vapes were seen as an alternative to smoking, but now they are widely used for drug abuse. That is why the government must take this issue seriously. At the state level, we have unanimously agreed to ban vapes.”
He mentioned that several Malaysian states have issued fatwas against vapes.
However, he said federal legislation needs to be passed in Parliament to make vapes illegal.
- “Vapes have evolved over the years to the extent that some unethical people use them to cause addiction and hallucinations. That’s where the government needs to look at it from every angle and ban it.”
