KUANTAN: All 11 local authorities across Pahang have been instructed to stop issuing licences for the sale of vape products.
Pahang Public Works, Transport and Health Committee chairman Datuk Razali Kassim, said the move aligns with the state government’s decision to ban vaping and the use of electronic cigarettes starting next year.
“I urge the cooperation of all local councils to exercise their authority by refraining from approving or issuing licences for vape sales.
“For now, traders have been given until Dec 31 to clear their existing stock. After that, enforcement action will be taken,” he told reporters after launching the state-level ‘Op Selamat Paru-Paru’ campaign at the Pahang Health Department headquarters here today.
On June 11, the Pahang government announced that the Pahang Mufti’s Department had issued a fatwa prohibiting the use of vape.
Pahang Islamic Religious Affairs, Rural Development, and Orang Asli Affairs Committee chairman, Datuk Seri Syed Ibrahim Syed Ahmad, said he hopes business premises across Pahang will stop selling vaping devices.
Meanwhile, regarding Op Selamat Paru-Paru, Razali said the Pahang health authorities have issued 7,390 notices for smoking-related offences during 551 enforcement operations since October last year.
He said the Pahang Health Department has opened 35 investigation papers for various offences, including illegal advertising, online sales, the sale of toy-shaped vapes, and the sale of cigarettes below the minimum price.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
