Govt Urged To Consider Total Vape Ban Amid Youth Abuse, Drug Risks
The Malaysian Council for Tobacco Control (MCTC) said the growing exploitation of youth, rising public health risks and emerging links to illicit drugs and organised crime require urgent and decisive government action.
Its secretary-general Muhammad Sha'ani Abdullah said while an immediate ban may not be feasible due to stock and distribution challenges, the government must begin with a strict prohibition on advertising and promotions.
He said the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852), which is already in effect, provides a strong legal foundation to enforce restrictions on advertisements, promotions and online sales of vape products, including those containing controlled substances or illicit drugs.
He noted that when vape advertisements are openly displayed, it gives the public the impression that these products are permissible.
'In physical stores, we understand there may be delays in removing vape displays due to cost and logistical issues. But for electronic boards, shopfronts or highway billboards, all it takes is a directive to take them down and yet, they continue to run,' he told reporters.
He was speaking at a press conference titled 'Drugs in Vape', held in conjunction with the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2025 and World No Tobacco Day, at the Malaysian Drug Prevention Association (PEMADAM) headquarters here today.
Also present was Hashim Anang, PEMADAM Media and Promotion Bureau chairman as well as a member of the National Anti-Drug Council, a non-governmental coalition.
Despite growing awareness of vape-related harm, Muhammad Sha'ani said many students continue to smuggle the devices into schools, often hiding them under motorcycle seats along with mobile phones.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- New Straits Times
PM directs embassy to assist stranded Malaysian in Milan
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has requested the Malaysian Embassy in Italy to immediately assist Dalila Zaidi, a Malaysian citizen stranded in Milan after her passport was stolen. He said the Foreign Ministry has also been alerted to ensure appropriate action is taken to resolve the matter. Anwar was responding to a post by Dalila on X, in which she appealed for help after losing her passport. "Salam PMX @anwaribrahim, my name is Dalila Zaidi and I'm a Malaysian currently stranded in Milan after my passport was stolen in the afternoon yesterday, 30 June 2025 near Santa Sofia station...I truly appreciate your attention to this," she wrote. In her post, Dalila claimed she had attempted to obtain an Emergency Travel Document from the Malaysian Embassy in Rome, but was informed that it was not possible due to the absence of an authorised officer to sign the necessary documents. The Prime Minister will be in Italy for a three-day official visit from July 1 to 3, at the invitation of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. - BERNAMA
New Straits Times
9 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Police bust RM21.85mil drug lab making narcotics-laced vape liquids in Ampang
SHAH ALAM: Police have uncovered an illegal drug-processing lab used to produce narcotics-laced vape liquids, seizing drugs worth RM21.85 million in two separate raids on condominium units in Ampang on June 25. Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the first raid led to the arrest of four people, including three foreigners, along with the confiscation of various drugs and vape processing equipment. "A search of the premises uncovered seven vape cartridges suspected to contain cocaine (about 57 grams), 2.7 kilograms (kg) of suspected powdered cocaine and 124.6 kg of liquid believed to contain MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine)," he said during a press conference at the Selangor Police Headquarters today. The second raid, conducted the same day at a different condominium unit, resulted in the seizure of 41 grams of dried cannabis, 140 grams of MDMA-laced vape liquid and 56 grams of suspected powdered cocaine. Hussein said a 28-year-old foreign man was arrested in the second operation and subsequently tested positive for morphine during a urine test. Initial investigations revealed that one of the foreign suspects acted as the chemist, while the others served as runners and assistants. The syndicate is believed to have been active since October 2024. Background checks showed that two of the foreign male suspects detained in the first raid had prior criminal records, including document forgery, criminal intimidation, fraud, drug-related offences, public disorder and assault. The syndicate's modus operandi involved renting two condominium units, each at RM6,000 per month, which were converted into laboratories to process drug-infused vape liquids for distribution to both local and international markets, Hussein said. He added that the group's estimated monthly profit from the operation was around RM200,000. Police also seized vehicles, local and foreign currencies, laptops, jewellery and branded watches, bringing the total value of seizures and confiscated assets to RM21.9 million. All suspects have been remanded for seven days from June 26 to assist investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which provides for the mandatory death penalty upon conviction. - BERNAMA
Sinar Daily
11 hours ago
- Sinar Daily
Police dismantle illegal vape drug lab in Ampang, RM21.85 million in drugs seized
Five suspects, three Taiwanese men, a local man and a Vietnamese woman aged between 20 and 37 were arrested. Police have successfully bust an illegal drug laboratory used to produce drugs-laced vape liquids, seizing an estimated RM21.92 million worth of drugs and assets in two separate raids on luxury condominium units in Ampang, Selangor. Photo by Bernama SHAH ALAM – Police have successfully bust an illegal drug laboratory used to produce drugs-laced vape liquids, seizing an estimated RM21.92 million worth of drugs and assets in two separate raids on luxury condominium units in Ampang, Selangor. Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan during a press conference today. Photo by Bernama Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the raids were conducted on June 25 at about 4.10pm by the Federal Police Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID). Five suspects, three Taiwanese men, a local man and a Vietnamese woman aged between 20 and 37 were arrested. 'In the first raid, we arrested four individuals and seized a range of drugs along with equipment used to produce vape liquids. 'In the second raid, at a separate condominium unit, we arrested another Taiwanese man, aged 28 and seized additional drugs,' he said during a press conference at the Selangor Police Headquarters on Tuesday. In total, police seized 124.74 kilogrammes of liquid suspected to contain methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), 2.8 kilogrammes of cocaine powder, 0.041 kilogrammes of cannabis and 21 vape cartridges believed to contain either MDMA or cocaine. Hussein said the amount seized considered potent enough to potentially harm over 638,000 users. Initial investigations revealed that one of the suspects acted as the group's chemist, while the others played supporting roles, serving as runners and assistants. He said that the syndicate is believed to have been operating since October 2024. 'Their modus operandi involved renting two luxury condominium units at RM6,000 per unit per month, which they converted into makeshift drug labs to process vape liquids for both local and international distribution. 'Authorities estimate the syndicate generated a monthly profit of around RM200,000 from drug trafficking activities,' he said. The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the mandatory death penalty or life imprisonment and no fewer than twelve strokes of the cane upon conviction. He further said that five suspects have been remanded from June 26 to July 2 to assist in the ongoing investigation. Urine tests showed that only the fifth suspect tested positive for morphine. Meanwhile, Hussein said that background checks found that two of the suspects had previous criminal records in Taiwan. The second suspect was wanted for document forgery and had prior offences related to fraud, criminal intimidation and drug activities, while the third suspect had records for public disturbance and causing injury. Authorities had also taken action under the Dangerous Drugs (Forfeiture of Property) Act 1988, seizing assets estimated to be worth RM530,513.50. Confiscated items included a Perodua Bezza car, five luxury watches, RM12,698 in local currency, TWD21,100 in Taiwanese dollars, USD$3,000 in cash, a bracelet and an laptop. The combined total value of all seized drugs and property amounts to RM21.92 million.
