Malaysian law enforcement agencies are being urged to take immediate action to investigate and crack down on the sale of vapes disguised as stationery to minors, according to a report by Utusan Malaysia on November 18.
The call was made by Mohamad Yusrizal Yusoff, President of the Kedah Consumers' Association (Cake), who stated that selling vapes to individuals under 18 is as inappropriate as selling cigarettes or alcohol.
Yusrizal warned that such practices could lead to social problems, including exposing teenagers to the risk of drug addiction. He noted that these devices are intentionally disguised as school stationery, making it challenging for authorities to detect and conduct inspections effectively.
He also criticized businesses for designing vapes in various shapes to attract teenage buyers, calling such behavior highly irresponsible. He highlighted that with cigarettes no longer the primary choice for many consumers, businesses are resorting to these deceptive tactics to target younger audiences.
The Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) previously reported that vapes are being disguised as everyday stationery items such as pens, glue sticks, and markers, and are widely sold on online platforms.
In response to the increasing use of vapes among students, the Ministry of Education (KPM) has announced plans to enhance monitoring in schools. Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek emphasized that addressing this issue is a high priority, as it constitutes a serious breach of school discipline.
Additionally, Azlin Othman, Vice President of the Malaysian Consumers Association (PMPM), called for decisive action against vape suppliers and urged for more comprehensive inspections in schools. She stressed that this is not a normal phenomenon and urged all sectors of society to pay close attention to the issue to protect students from these risks.
