Banning vape or e-cigarettes a religious issue, says Jainab

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TUARAN: Leave the issue on the banning of vape or e-cigarette in the state to the Sabah Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JHEAINS), said Community Development and Consumer Affairs minister, Datuk Jainab Ahmad Ayid.

Speaking after officiating at the inaugural Kota Kinabalu City level Rela Family Day here yesterday, the minister said the issue is a religious one and the empowerment to ban it is in JHEIANS hands.

“I do not feel the need to want to comment on it too much. But for me, as the minister in charge of PEMADAM (Drug Prevention Agency Malaysia) as chairman, we know AADK (National Anti-Drug Agency) has reported that the use of vape has been abused,” said the minister.

“Toxic substances and drugs have been injected into it (vape liquids), turning something innocent into that which is no longer innocent,” added Jainab, who was referring to the growing concern that e-cigarette users are refilling their devices with liquid marijuana, liquid ketamine, poppy extracts or even ketum juice.

“So let JHEIANS examine the banning, but of course we have challenges, let us undertake it together,” reiterated Jainab.

The minister also urged local authorities such as the Kota Kinabalu City Hall and the state’s district offices to take stringent measures when issuing licenses to sell the devices and its refills.

She stressed there are quarters looking for loopholes to do harm on the people by taking advantage of the recent vaping trend through businesses. On Dec 16, the Kelantan state government finalised its decision to ban vaping in the state, leaving store owners 14 days to vacate their premises.

Earlier in November, Johor’s Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar issued a royal decree to ban the sale of vape in the state, effective January 1, 2016.