M'sians Express Outrage Over Easy Access to Vape Vending Machine in KL Mall

Vaping has become more prevalent in our country, with a whopping 600% surge in e-cigarette sales in just 12 years. Stores selling e-cigarettes have also sprung up all over the country, and refills can be purchased at many convenience stores. However, X user @boosulyn has drawn attention to a vape vending machine in KL, which doesn’t require age verification checks before purchase.

In a tweet, she wrote that scanning identification cards were not required, and anyone could easily purchase with their debit card, credit card or eWallets such as GrabPay, Touch ‘n Go, and Boost.

As written on the vending machine, the steps to purchase were simply to select the products, make payment, and collect the items.

Netizens were outraged over the machine, with many criticising the government over the issue.

The Straits Times reported an outcry in the country in April 2023 after a tax move made vaping legal for minors. Liquid and gel nicotine, key ingredients of e-cigarettes and vaporisers, were removed from the list of scheduled poisons in April 2023. The Malaysian government then imposed a tax on vape products and e-cigarettes. The Poisons Board had objected to the delisting, but then Health Minister Zaliha Mustafa exercised her ministerial powers to override it.

As of June 2024, the New Straits Times reported that Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 will be enforced starting this year. The bill was approved by the Dewan Negara in December 2023 and gazetted in February 2024. In a tweet, Dzuklefly hoped the bill would be enforced in August 2024.

The act includes provisions such as prohibiting the sale and purchase of tobacco products, smoking materials, or tobacco substitute products, as well as providing any smoking services to minors. However, as of now, the act has yet to kick in.

What do you think of the vending machine?