According to Nst on November 14, the Malaysian government defended its decision to regulate e-cigarettes under the Public Health Tobacco Control Products Act 2024 rather than a total ban.
"It would have been simpler if we had a total ban, but we missed the opportunity," said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad after launching the report "Non-communicable Disease Prevention and Control in Malaysia: Investment Inevitability" at the Parliament Banquet Hall.
"This legislation is very comprehensive, from registration to the end of the supply chain."
The Public Health Tobacco Control Products Act 2024 came into effect on October 1 and aims to ban the sale and purchase of tobacco products, smoking materials and substitutes, including e-cigarettes and other electronic smoking devices, to minors.
In response to concerns about the potential health risks of e-cigarettes, the minister assured that the law will continue to evolve as new evidence emerges.
"If new evidence emerges, we will revisit this issue. The law is dynamic and is by no means static."