Kedah sticks to December deadline for vape ban
ALOR STAR: The December deadline for vape retailers in Kedah to cease operations will remain in force, a senior government official said today, ruling out any extension to the state's blanket ban on the sale of electronic cigarettes.
The state Housing, Local Government and Health Committee chairman, Mansor Zakaria said the seven-month grace period from this month is sufficient for the traders to shift to other businesses.
"We are giving them until December. They have seven months from now to shift to other businesses. They have sufficient time to do that," he told the New Straits Times when contacted.
Mansor said the decision was made during a meeting with all local authorities in the state earlier this week.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor had previously said the state government would not renew any business licences for vape retailers due to expire this year, as part of a stricter policy aimed at curbing the growing threat of synthetic drug abuse.
The announcement prompted an outcry from vape retailers in Kedah, who expressed disappointment at the state government's decision to group legitimate businesses with those involved in illicit substances.
They also appealed for more time to comply with the blanket ban and transition into alternative forms of business.
Mansor said enforcement would commence early next year to seize vape products being sold at the premises.
"The majority of business licences for the premises in question will expire by this December, with only a few set to expire in January and February next year.
"If they fail to comply with the ban, we will launch an operation to issue compounds and seize the products," he warned.
Several Malaysian states are moving to tighten restrictions on vape sales. Terengganu and Perlis have announced statewide bans effective from Aug 1, aimed at curbing vape use among youths.
Johor and Kelantan have had similar bans in place since 2016.
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