The Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah yesterday, issued an order proposing a total ban on vaping in the country.
This order was issued following concerns about the increase in drug abuse, especially among the youth in Pahang.
His Majesty stated that vaping devices are the main cause of young people getting caught up in drug addiction, which is now recording a surprising number and Pahang is in the fifth highest position with 11,750 addicts, 57% of whom are between 15 and 30 years old.
The Sultan of Pahang hopes that this step can help reduce the problem of addiction and asks parents throughout the state to be more sensitive to this issue.
However, despite this strong call, the Minister of Health, Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, rejected the suggestion by explaining that the federal government remains committed to not banning electronic cigarettes.
He said that the government will continue to take a regulatory approach to vaping through the Smoking Products Control Act for Public Health 2024.
The government does not intend to ban vaping as a whole, but leave state governments, such as Johor, to determine their policies for states under their own auspices.
Is the Sultan of Pahang's proposal a good move, or does the government's action to remain with the regulation of vape have its own advantages?
