(Nov 9): Vape or e-cigarettes traders should run their business ethically and adhere to existing regulations, said an Umno minister, commenting on a series of announcements from Putrajaya over the hot issue.

Writing in his Facebook account, Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said he believed the announcements by the Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Ministry to look into regulating the price of vape, and the Health Ministry's special panel on the issue, meant that sales of vape would be allowed subject to regulations.

Previously, Putrajaya was mulling a move to ban vape, citing health concern, but this had caused an uproar among vape proponents.

"I hope young vape entrepreneurs will use this opportunity to expand their business. While vape liquids producers have to continue to be creative to come up with the best flavours without using banned substance," he said, referring to a Berita Harian report that drugs such as marijuana, methamphetamine and ketum juice have been found in vape liquids sold in Johor.

"I want to see Malaysian vape products known worldwide and what's more remarkable is the creativity of our young Malays or Bumiputeras.

"I call on vape users, traders and brewers to be ethical and adhere to all regulations," he said.

The vape industry is estimated to be a multi-million ringgit one given the rapid growth in the number of users.

Last month, the Malaysian E-Vaporisers and Tobacco Alternative Association (Mevta) said it had between 4,000 and 5,000 members.

Some of the larger outlets selling vaporiser pens and flavoured liquids are said to earn about RM50,000 a month.

Last week, more than 300 shops in Selangor and others around the country were raided after the health ministry said it would target vape liquid with nicotine content.

The Cabinet, however, had decided not to ban vaping, as announced by Ismail on his Facebook.

Following mixed reaction on the issue, Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said on Twitter yesterday that if vape were banned, cigarettes too should be banned.

“I favour strong regulation for both. But if going to ban one, ban both. Plus we've spent waay too much time on this,” he tweeted. – The Malaysian Insider