Seizures of drug-laced vapes strengthen case for ban, says Dzulkefly

PETALING JAYA: Police seizures of vape liquid mixed with dangerous synthetic drugs provide a strong basis for the government to ban their use in the country, says health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad.

He said during the first four months of this year, police had recorded 402 such cases, Bernama reported.

“The detection of synthetic drugs such as benzodiazepine, nimetazepam, MDMA, cannabinoids, tetrahydrocannabinol and methamphetamine in vape preparations is clearly prohibited and illegal for use, particularly among minors.

“On the strength of that evidence alone, there is already a strong basis pointing towards a vape ban. That is a compelling argument.

“The matter is currently under the government’s consideration and the health ministry is also involved in the process,” he said after launching the “Cik Era Rides the MRT” anti-smoking and anti-vaping programme at the Tun Razak Exchange MRT station in Kuala Lumpur last night.

On June 11, deputy Inspector-General of Police Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said the emergence of a new synthetic drug known as “Piu Piu”, which has been detected in electronic cigarette liquids, demonstrated why these devices should be banned.

Dzulkefly said enforcement efforts against vaping are being carried out aggressively through strategic cross-agency cooperation, including with the home ministry and the police.

On the issue of forged medical certificates, Dzulkefly said the ministry was studying the implementation of digital medical certificates (e-MC) to minimise such abuse.

He was commenting on a recent case involving five people, including a nurse in Pekan, Pahang, who were remanded to assist in investigations into the sale and purchase of suspected fake MCs.