Malaysia's Johor State Reaffirms Stance: Vape Ban Stays, No Sales Permits Issued

Nov.25.2024
Malaysia's Johor State Reaffirms Stance: Vape Ban Stays, No Sales Permits Issued
The Johor state government in Malaysia has decided to maintain its vape ban, in place since 2016, and will not issue permits for vape sales.

According to Berita Harian on November 24th, the Johor state government has decided to continue its ban on e-cigarettes, which has been in place since 2016. They will not issue any sales licenses for e-cigarettes.

 

Johor State Housing and Local Government Chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor stated that the decision has been in effect since 2016 and the 8-year ban includes strict restrictions on e-cigarettes and related products containing nicotine.

 

"Johor continues to enforce the ban on the sale of vapes and electronic cigarettes in the state," he said.

 

On January 1, 2016, at the request of Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar of Johor, the use of e-cigarettes was banned throughout the state and commercial establishments were ordered to cease operations.

 

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad stated on November 19 that the federal government will continue to regulate e-cigarette products through the Tobacco Control Act 2024 (Act 852), which came into effect on October 1. 

 

He mentioned that although the federal government has not imposed a nationwide ban on the sale of e-cigarettes, it will be up to individual state governments to decide on policies, including potentially banning the sale of e-cigarettes through local authorities. (Read more: "Malaysia to Implement Gradual Approach to Vape Regulation, Says Health Minister")

 

Last week, Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah of Pahang state in Malaysia proposed a total ban on the use of e-cigarettes. (Read more: "Penang Consumer Group Pushes for Vape Ban Amid Youth Addiction Concerns")

 

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