Kedah vape traders told to cease operations by December
Published on: Thursday, May 22, 2025
Published on: Thu, May 22, 2025
By: FMT Reporters Text Size: The state government said seven months is enough time for retailers to shift to other businesses. PETALING JAYA: Vape retailers in Kedah have been given until December to cease operations following the state-wide ban on the sale of electronic cigarettes. State housing, local government and health committee chairman Mansor Zakaria said the state government would not extend the grace period as seven months was enough time for retailers to shift to other businesses. In a Berita Harian report, Mansor said full enforcement would begin early next year, and that the authorities would not hesitate to seize vape products. 'Most business licences will expire this December, and a small number will expire in January and February next year. If they (the operators) remain stubborn and defy the order, we will issue compounds and confiscate their goods,' he said. 'Vape traders are expected to switch to other businesses after this. Seven months is a reasonable amount of time,' he said, adding that the decision was reached in a meeting with all local authorities in Kedah this week. Mansor also called on the health ministry to revoke all licences for the manufacture and sale of vape at the federal level.
Advertisement 'The health ministry is always reminding the public of the harmful effects of vape, so the federal government needs to take firm action and ban its sale,' he said. Last week, Kedah menteri besar Sanusi Nor said the state government planned to stop the sale of vape and e-cigarettes in Kedah by next year. He said the move was part of the state government's policy to tackle the growing abuse of synthetic drugs, including among school students. Sanusi also said that vape products were increasingly being misused through the mixing of illegal substances into vape liquids before sale. Yesterday, Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Aminuddin Harun said the state was considering a ban on the sale of vape or electronic cigarettes in the state amid rising concern over their impact on public health, especially among the youth. Terengganu and Perlis will ban the sale of vape products from Aug 1, joining Johor and Kelantan which implemented bans in 2016 and 2015, respectively. Selangor and Penang are still weighing a blanket ban. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Express
2 hours ago
- Daily Express
Iran tension will have ripple effect
Published on: Monday, June 23, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jun 23, 2025 Text Size: According to Nordin, the government should also take a more proactive role in providing up-to-date information, financial support, and technical assistance to affected industry players. Kota Kinabalu: The escalating tensions between Iran and Israel have raised concerns among industry players and economic analysts, particularly entrepreneurs involved in international trade. President of the Asean Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ACCI) Sabah Chapter, Datuk Nordin Ening, said the situation could trigger a ripple effect on global economic stability and impact local businesses connected to international markets. 'This conflict isn't just about foreign politics. It has direct implications on global oil prices, currency exchange rates, supply chains, and shipping costs. Malaysian entrepreneurs, especially in Sabah, where many rely on imports and exports, must be better prepared,' he said when commenting on the matter. He urged entrepreneurs to re-evaluate their strategies, including aspects of geopolitical risk management, market diversification, and building business resilience against global uncertainties. 'Smart entrepreneurs don't rely on a single market source or trade route. In an increasingly unpredictable world, we must have contingency and alternative plans, including strengthening regional markets such as Asean,' he added. According to Nordin, the government should also take a more proactive role in providing up-to-date information, financial support, and technical assistance to affected industry players. Advertisement 'We need an economic response mechanism to handle external conflicts. A comprehensive framework should be established to ensure the nation's economy can withstand unexpected global shocks,' he said. He also stressed the importance of reinforcing economic cooperation among Asean nations so the region is less exposed to turbulence in the Middle East or among global powers. 'We can't face global challenges like this in isolation. Asean must act as a united economic bloc with mutual support,' he said. He further noted that such threats should also be seen as an opportunity to accelerate domestic economic empowerment and reduce reliance on external markets. 'Crises often open doors for reform. Entrepreneurs must be bold enough to adapt and move forward so their businesses can endure under any circumstances,' he concluded. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
2 hours ago
- Daily Express
Devt dilemma: How Sabah can learn from Penang
Published on: Monday, June 23, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jun 23, 2025 By: Dr Iling Ma, Dg Shamimi Yusri Text Size: Sabah, while rich in natural and cultural assets, has not yet fully capitalised on its potential. Tourism remains underdeveloped in many areas, and access to rural communities remains limited. Products made by local entrepreneurs often struggle to reach wider markets. PENANG'S success in developing a diversified economy anchored in digital innovation, industrial growth, and a thriving tourism sector serves as a compelling model for other Malaysian states. While Penang's development has been shaped by its own history, location and population, there are strategies that could help Sabah strengthen its socio-economic growth. The goal is not to replicate Penang's model but to reflect on Sabah's unique context and apply lessons that are practical and relevant. Sabah has long been appreciated for its natural landscapes and diverse cultures. The State is home to over 30 indigenous groups, each with distinct languages, customs, and traditions. From the Kadazan-Dusun and Murut in the interior to the Bajau and Suluk along the eastern coast, Sabah's social fabric is rich and multifaceted. Subscribe or LOG IN to access this article. Support Independant Journalism Subscribe to Daily Express Malaysia Access to DE E-Paper Access to DE E-Paper Exclusive News Exclusive News Invites to special events Invites to special events Giveaways & Rewards 1-Year Most Popular (Income Tax Deductible) Explore Plans Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
3 hours ago
- Daily Express
Ringgit higher at opening amid ongoing geopolitical tensions
Published on: Monday, June 23, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jun 23, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: At 8 am, the local note rose to 4.2420/2655 against the greenback from Friday's close of 4.2505/2565. Kuala Lumpur: The ringgit opened higher against the US dollar and a basket of major currencies on Monday despite a strong US Dollar Index (DXY) as ongoing geopolitical tensions, with the United States' (US) involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict, in focus, said an analyst. At 8 am, the local note rose to 4.2420/2655 against the greenback from Friday's close of 4.2505/2565. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said there are fears of a wider conflagration in the region as the US announced 'successful' airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites. 'The focus is clearly on how it might impact crude oil prices and risk sentiment. 'Brent Crude oil prices rallied by 2.49 per cent to US$78.93 per barrel, the highest since January 2025 with concerns over Iranian retaliation and (the possibility that it) might use the Straits of Hormuz choke point as leverage in the prevailing conflict,' he told Bernama. Mohd Afzanizam also said the ringgit could depreciate against the US dollar due to the defensive mode among traders. Advertisement He said there could be a risk-off mode in the currency market,as the US DXY has risen to 98.937 points, while precious commodities, such as spot gold, were up by 0.27 per cent to US$3,377.42 per ounce. At the opening, the ringgit traded higher against a basket of major currencies. It trended higher against the Japanese yen at 2.9023/9186 from 2.9245/9289 at Friday's close, rose versus the British pound to 5.7000/7316 from 5.7356/7437, and inched up against the euro to 4.8800/9070 from 4.9000/9069 previously. The local note also traded firmer against its ASEAN counterparts. It appreciated against the Singapore dollar to 3.2948/3133 from 3.3088/3140 at Friday's close, climbed to 12.9243/13.0042 from 12.9727/9969 versus the Thai baht, advanced vis-a-vis the Indonesian rupiah to 258.6/260.2 from 259.2/259.7 and gained against the Philippine peso to 7.42/7.46 from 7.43/7.45. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
