Consider all aspects before banning vape in Sabah, say traders

Vape traders in Sabah want the government to consider all aspects before taking any action to ban the sale and use of vape in the state.

A spokesperson of vape traders in Sabah, Shah Fareed, said banning vape arbitrarily in the state not only would affect the traders, who were mostly bumiputera aged 40 years and below, but would also lead to a vape black market.

He said bumiputera traders had invested a large amount of money to be involved in the business, including getting bank loans and even willing to sell their land to be used for capital to set up their businesses.

“We suggested that the government set up a special panel involving representatives from the government and outsiders to prepare a guideline on the sale and use of vape.

“We have no problem adhering to the guideline,” he told a news conference in Kota Kinabalu last night which was also attended by over 50 vape traders in Sabah.

On Jan 21, the Sabah state fatwa committee decided that the use of shisha and electronic cigarettes or vape among Muslims in the state was illegal as it was hazardous to health.

- Bernama