(Nov 3): Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam has instructed his ministry to take action against those selling products with nicotine content used in electronic cigarettes or vapes, The Star reported.

He was quoted as saying they would start the confiscations soon and would move in hard, adding that his ministry had the power to confiscate such products under the Poisons Act 1952 (Revision 1989) and Food Act 1983.

Nicotine is categorised as a Group C poison under the act and those manufacturing, distributing and selling it need to be licensed, the report said.

Last week, Subramaniam had said the government would consider imposing a ban on e-cigarettes in the near future to prevent adverse health effects on consumers.

The following day however, Health Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya told reporters that the government had not decided to ban e-cigarettes, adding that it was still too early to decide as there was no specific law on it.

Following the turnaround, Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob thanked Putrajaya for "understanding the aspiration of youths" after the federal government's decision not to ban electronic cigarettes.

He posted on his Facebook page that the Cabinet's decision not to ban vapes was good news for vapers, vape brewers and vape traders.

"Thank you, prime minister and the government for understanding the aspirations of youths," he had posted. – The Malaysian Insider