Malaysia’s Melaka State May Ban E-Cigarette Sales, Awaits Federal and Health Ministry Guidance

Key points:

1.The state of Malacca in Malaysia has stated that it will prohibit the sale of e-cigarettes if directed to do so by the federal government and the Ministry of Health (KKM).

2.If the Malacca state government makes a decision, the local government will implement this policy.

3.The neighboring states of Malacca have shown their stance on the issue of e-cigarettes. The state of Negeri Sembilan is planning to discuss soon whether to ban the sale of e-cigarettes statewide. Johor has already banned the use of e-cigarettes across the whole state in 2016.

According to Kosmo! Online, the state of Malacca in Malaysia has stated that it will ban the sale of e-cigarettes if instructed by the federal government and the Ministry of Health (KKM).

The chairman of the Housing, Local Government, Drainage, Climate Change and Disaster Management Committee Datuk Rais Yasin announced at the World Tuberculosis Day celebration event and Mobilisation Meeting for People Serving Projects (WRUR) that a federal government decision will help strengthen the ban nationwide, including in states like Malacca. He stated that the Malacca local government is prepared to immediately implement the ban once clear guidelines are received, and if a decision is made by the state government, the local government will enforce this policy.

Lai emphasized that they are waiting for clear instructions from the Melaka State Health Department and the state government in order to immediately implement the ban decision. He pointed out that coordination with the central government is necessary for consistency in the enforcement of laws and to prevent policy discrepancies. He believes that this issue must be resolved in a win-win manner, as it involves some people's sources of income, but public health concerns, especially the health of young people, should be a top priority.

Malacca State is one of the 13 states in Malaysia, located in the southern part of the Malay Peninsula, overlooking the Strait of Malacca. It is situated in the central area of the Strait of Malacca, facing the island of Sumatra, and borders Negeri Sembilan to the north and Johor to the east. Previously, Negeri Sembilan was considering whether to ban the sale of e-cigarettes throughout the state, while Johor has already banned the use of e-cigarettes in the state since January 1, 2016, and has ordered relevant businesses to cease operations.