PUTRAJAYA: The Rural and Regional Development Ministry (KKLW) is leaving it to private institutions of higher learning (IPTS) under its jurisdiction whether to ban or not ban the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) in their respective campuses.
Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the ministry did not have any policy on the use of e-cigarettes, better known as vape.
“Whatever the decision, I leave it to the institutions under the ministry, they decide,” he told reporters after attending the 32nd convocation ceremony of Kolej Poly-Tech MARA (KPTM) here yesterday.
Ismail Sabri was asked to comment whether the ministry intended to follow the move taken by Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) in banning use of vape on campus beginning Jan 1 next year.
USIM vice-chancellor Datuk Dr Musa Ahmad in a press statement on Friday said the ban was being enforced because e-cigarette was comparable to an actual cigarette and experts have pointed out that it was harmful to health.
Meanwhile, KPTM vice president, Ismail Junuh said the college would conduct a study before deciding whether to ban or not ban use of e-cigarettes in the campus’ premises.
A total of 5,809 graduands will be receiving their degrees, diplomas and certificates at the 32nd KPTM convocation which is being held for three days beginning yesterday.
In a related development, Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister, Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin said the findings on a study on the use of e-cigarettes or vaping devices and liquid flavours would be announced soon.
He said this was because if e-cigarettes or vape were allowed to be sold in the market, they must fulfil certain criteria and procedures to be determined.
He said currently Malaysia did not have any policy which could be adopted for the usage electronic cigarettes devices and liquid flavours.
“The use of e-cigarette devices and liquid flavors should meet the international standards set.
“Whatever the decision it has to be something which can be accepted by all parties and hopefully no more issues will arise in future,” he told reporters after launching a circumcision ceremony at Hospital Selama, Larut, Perak. — Bernama