Following the Sultan of Johor’s express wish for vape-related businesses in the state to close up shop by January 1, the state government is moving to set up a new by-law that would effectively ban the e-cigarette industry in Johor.
Abdul Latiff Bandi, chairperson of the Johor Housing and Local Government Committee said all local councils in the state would be sent a circular informing them of the ban on vape businesses, effective on January 1.
The matter would be raised at the state executive council meeting this Wednesday, he said.
“Vape outlets are now operating under convenience store licences. They will have to comply with the new by-law from next year,” Abdul Latif told The Star Online.
Admitting that a blanket ban on vaping culture would be difficult, Abdul Latif said the first step by the Johor state government would be to prohibit the sale of e-cigarette paraphernalia and e-liquids.
Should the new by-law come into effect, vape traders in Johor would face the same penalties as those selling prohibited items: a fine of between RM500 to RM2,000 for first offenders, and a revoked convenience store license for repeat offenders.
