Malaysian PAS Youth Committee Urges Ban on E-cigarette Sales

Key points:

1.Legislation calls for: The Youth Committee of the Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS) in Pahang is urging the state government to legislate a ban on the sale and use of e-cigarettes in order to protect young people from the threat of nicotine addiction.

2.Seriousness of the issue: Chairman of the committee, Ustaz Mohd Zarimi, emphasized that the growing trend of e-cigarette use among teenagers and students is concerning, and its prevalence has become widespread.

3.Enforcement and regulatory loopholes: E-cigarettes are widely sold through digital platforms and physical stores, lacking sufficient regulatory oversight and enforcement efforts.

4.Local Action Initiative: Calls for Pahang state to refer to restrictions implemented in other states (such as Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu, and recently in Selangor), and to implement preventive measures.

5.Comprehensive recommendations: strengthen law enforcement and community supervision, restrict the sale of e-cigarettes to minors, and collaborate with government, educational institutions, non-governmental organizations, mosques, and communities to launch a comprehensive public awareness campaign.

According to a report from Harakahdaily on May 15th, the PAS Youth Committee in Pahang state has urged the state government to legislate banning the sale and use of e-cigarettes to protect young people from the threat of nicotine addiction.

Committee chairman Ustaz Mohd Zarimi Abu Zih Al-Hafiz expressed concerns over the increasing trend of e-cigarette use among teenagers and students. He stated that the widespread dissemination of e-cigarettes has become a serious threat to public health, social welfare, and the future development of young people.

Zarimi pointed out that e-cigarettes are widely sold through digital platforms and physical stores, lacking sufficient regulation and enforcement, revealing weaknesses in state-level regulation and enforcement. He emphasized that this issue requires immediate action from the state government.

The committee is urging the Pahang Chief Minister and state assembly members, especially those responsible for health and education, to consider implementing effective preventive measures similar to those in other states (such as Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu, and most recently, Selangor). The state government needs to enhance law enforcement and community supervision, restrict the sale of e-cigarettes to minors, and collaborate with government agencies, educational institutions, non-governmental organizations, mosques, and communities to conduct comprehensive awareness campaigns to educate the public about the dangers of e-cigarettes.

Zarimi stated that these efforts adhere to Islamic law principles, aimed at upholding life and morality, and are an investment in the long-term well-being of Pahang state.