Melaka's Local Authorities Crackdown On Unlicensed e-Cigarette Retailers

MELAKA, Dec 10 (Bernama) -- Melaka’s local authorities are cracking down on unlicensed e-cigarette retailers by issuing notices, imposing fines and seizing goods.

State executive councillor for Health, Human Resources, and Unity, Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem, said the authorities will ensure that only premises meeting the set conditions are granted the Licence to Trade in Electronic Cigarettes, in line with the Licensing of Trades (Local Authorities) By-Laws 2010.

“These enforcement actions support the state government and the Ministry of Health, which holds sole jurisdiction over regulating vape products and sales to minors.

“The local authorities assist by monitoring premises and sharing information to facilitate legal follow-up,” he said during the state legislative assembly session at the Seri Negeri Complex here today.

He was responding to a question from Kerk Chee Yee (PH-Ayer Keroh), who inquired about the state government's efforts to curb and reduce the use of vapes or e-cigarettes, which are said to have detrimental effects on public health.

Furthermore, Ngwe said the state government runs health education and anti-vaping campaigns in schools and communities with partner agencies. It also conducts targeted inspections of retailers to prevent sales to minors.

-- BERNAMA