Health ministry moves to block 4 websites selling vape products online
Summary
The Malaysian health ministry has submitted requests to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to block four websites suspected of violating the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024. These websites are among 10 flagged following complaints raised on social media, with investigations ongoing for the remaining six. The ministry stated that as of April 30, 2,595 investigation papers had been opened for offences under Sections 7 to 10 of the Act, which prohibit the advertising, promotion, sponsorship, and sale of tobacco and vape products. Since the Act came into force, the ministry has conducted 34,903 enforcement operations and inspected 683,704 premises nationwide, collecting fines totaling RM1,189,100. The move follows concerns raised by NGO Al-Sirath Malaysia about the accessibility of dangerous "mushroom-flavoured" vape products to children, as well as a recent case where a teenage girl allegedly under the influence of such a product slashed her throat and wrists.
(Source:Free Malaysia Today)