Smoking is known to be a health hazard, but what about e-cigarettes and vapes?
Minister of Communications and Multimedia Gobind Singh Deo says they are considering the move to ban online promotion and sales of e-cigarettes and vapes. The issue will go under discussion between the Health Ministry and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
Photo: The Star Online
“For example, illegal gaming is something people have asked us to ban but there are many companies or sites like that and if action is taken, new sites pop up so there are problems dealing with it. We will discuss the matter to see what we can do,” he said.
Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association’s (Fomca) Tobacco Control Initiative@Smoke Free Malaysia coordinator Muhammad Sha’ani Abdullah wrote to the minister on 23rd September, citing “precautionary principle” as the reason to call for an online ban. He also asked that the ministry direct all social media platform owners to stop promoting, advertising and selling e-cigarettes and vapes immediately.
He also cited media reports that recently surfaced about the harmful effects of vapes and e-cigarettes on users in the US and Canada, which allegedly caused the death of 8 people and some 500 others to suffer from serious health problems.
Social media and e-commerce platforms make it extremely easy for anyone to purchase these devices, so much so that even children can get it.
What do you think about this move?
By: Celestine Foo
