Pahang PAS Youth Wing Calls for Legislation to Ban E-cigarettes in Effort to Safeguard Youth Health

The Youth Wing of the Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS) in Pahang has formally urged the state government to enact legislation banning the sale and use of e-cigarettes, with the goal of protecting young people from the risks of nicotine addiction. The committee's chairman, Ustaz Mohd Zarimi Abu Zih Al-Hafiz, noted that e-cigarette use among teenagers and students has become increasingly visible, posing a serious threat to public health and the well-being of future generations.

This statement highlights five key areas: the need for legislation, the severity of the problem, regulatory loopholes, lessons from other states, and a set of comprehensive countermeasures. It calls for coordinated efforts through legal action, enforcement, and community mobilization to build a full-chain protection system.

1.Legislative Necessity

The PAS Youth Wing calls on the Pahang state government to introduce specific legislation banning the sale and use of e-cigarettes within the state, especially prohibiting sales to minors. Zarimi emphasized that legal measures are the first line of defense against youth nicotine exposure, and only clear legislative action can create effective deterrence.

2. Severity of the Problem

E-cigarettes are widely available through social media platforms, online stores, and physical retail outlets, often lacking proper age verification or health warnings. Teenagers can easily access and experiment with flavored products, increasing the risk of nicotine dependence and raising potential threats to respiratory and neurological health.

3. Regulatory Loopholes

Under current laws in Pahang, e-cigarettes remain ambiguously defined, and there is no dedicated enforcement or oversight mechanism. Law enforcement agencies lack targeted inspection efforts for both online and offline sales, leaving minors vulnerable and creating a regulatory vacuum.

4. Learning from Other States

The PAS Youth Wing recommends that the Pahang state government follow the lead of other states such as Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu, and more recently, Perlis. These states have introduced bans on e-cigarette sales, supported by strong enforcement frameworks. These precedents demonstrate that clear legislation, when paired with strict enforcement, significantly reduces youth usage rates.

5. Comprehensive Measures

Strengthen Enforcement and Supervision

• Establish dedicated inspection teams to conduct regular joint checks across online and offline channels, and impose strict penalties on those selling to minors.

Community and Educational Collaboration

• Work with schools, parent associations, mosques, and NGOs to organize public talks and school campaigns, incorporating e-cigarette awareness into health education curricula.

Media and Public Awareness

• Leverage mainstream media and social platforms to publish visual content and short videos, raising public awareness of the risks associated with vaping.

Religious and Ethical Mobilization

• Engage religious leaders and community elders to promote anti-vaping messages based on Islamic principles of preserving life and morality, creating a strong social consensus.