Vape traders in Terengganu get six-month reprieve

Menteri Besar says this is to provide them with enough time to exhaust remaining stocks so they will not incur crippling losses.

KUALA TERENGGANU: Although the ban on vape, as issued by the fatwa council took effect on January 1, vape traders in the state have been given six months to exhaust existing stock so they are not affected by crippling financial losses.

Speaking about the six-month reprieve, Menteri Besar Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman said the decision was arrived at after taking into consideration requests from various parties.

“If the six months are not given, there could be other implications such as traders getting into debt and some being declared bankrupt,” he was quoted by The Star Online as saying, Sunday.

He said the state government also did not want vape traders to feel victimised in any way and to that end was willing to even help suggest other business options beside the sale of vape products.

During the coming six months, the state government would also enact laws regarding vape at the next state assembly sitting.

“Only then will we decide on the type of enforcement and penalties,” he said.

On December 30, it was announced that the usage and sale of e-cigarettes was to be banned in Terengganu, in keeping with the state fatwa council’s decision to declare vaping “haram”.