KUALA LUMPUR – Following reports of e-cigarette devices being sold in the form of stationery items like marker pens, authorities have been urged to take strict action against traders engaging in such practices.
Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) senior vice-chairman Datuk Seri Ayub Yaakob said that these tactics, targeting school students, not only attract teenagers and children to buy the devices, but may also cause confusion among various groups including teachers, parents, and guardians.
“MCPF sees the tactics of selling vapes and electronic cigarettes in stationery form can influence students to bring them to school, which indirectly increases unhealthy and harmful habits among teenagers and children,” he said.
“Selling these devices openly online and in gadget stores makes it easier for students to buy them, thus making monitoring by the authorities difficult,” he added in a statement today.
He noted that this practice violates several laws, including the Copyright Act 1987, the Patents (Amendment) Act 2022, and the Guidelines to Prevent False or Misleading Advertisements.
It also undermines government efforts to reduce smoking dependency among teenagers and students, including vaping, despite the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 being enforced since October 1.
MCPF urged the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry to conduct raids on traders selling smoking devices under misleading forms and labels. Additionally, it recommended that the Health Ministry draft specific regulations to prevent the sale of smoking products that may attract teenagers and children. – October 21, 2024