Malaysia's Negeri Sembilan Supports E-Cigarette Ban, Emphasizes the Need for Supporting Legislation for Enforcement

Key points:

·The state of Negeri Sembilan in Malaysia supports the ban on e-cigarettes, but points out that there must be clear regulations and legal support for it to be effective, as sales are still rampant. 

·The rulers' meeting has agreed to ban e-cigarettes in all states, but merely reaching a consensus is not enough; comprehensive regulations need to be established to ensure enforcement. 

·According to relevant laws, smoking products must be registered with the Ministry of Health, and products containing controlled substances will not be approved for sale.

【2Firsts News Flash】According to BHarian on August 5, the Chief Minister of Negeri Sembilan, Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, stated that the prohibition of the sale and use of e-cigarettes requires clear regulations and laws to ensure its effective implementation.

The Malaysian Conference of Rulers (MRR) has agreed to the ban on e-cigarettes in all states, with each state also in agreement. However, if an agreement is reached without relevant regulations being put in place, a review of the issue is necessary to ensure that the law can be enforced. "We do not want to just announce it is illegal, but sales continue to thrive as if there are no regulations or laws. (They believe) that even if it is illegal, as long as it can be sold, there is no problem," he said after the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) meeting.

Aminuddin stated that the state government fully supports banning the use or sale of e-cigarettes, but it must be accompanied by clear and strict regulations.

Previously, Aminuddin requested security personnel and relevant departments, including the Ministry of Health, to strengthen enforcement to ensure that e-cigarettes containing banned substances do not continue to flow into the market.

Some lawmakers are wondering whether the state government plans to completely ban the sale of e-cigarettes or allow the sale of certain brands of e-cigarettes.

Aminuddin stated that his political party agrees to ban the use of e-cigarettes and will work with the federal government to establish regulations or enforcement methods before the ban is announced.

According to Section 3 of the 2024 Public Health Tobacco Control Act (Act No. 852), all tobacco products intended for importation, manufacturing, or distribution in the Malaysian market must first be registered with the Ministry of Health.

He said, "Any smoking product containing any prohibited substances regulated by the 1952 Poisons Act will not be granted registration approval and cannot be sold in Malaysia.