More States Should Ban Vapes Says Deputy Igp

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Deputy inspector-general of police Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said fentanyl has been detected in vape liquids, with effects 100 times stronger and more dangerous than morphine and 20 to 40 times stronger than heroin.
PETALING JAYA: More state governments should move to ban the sale of electronic cigarettes or vapes, which are now increasingly linked to the abuse of new synthetic drugs, says deputy inspector-general of police Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay.
He said school students as young as 13 years old have been caught using vapes containing substances mixed with drugs, which could pose a new threat to the country if not curbed.
Ayob said some states had already taken the initiative to ban vape sales, and encouraged other states to follow suit while waiting for the federal government to draft the related laws.
“Sale licences are under the jurisdiction of the local authorities. State governments can take action while waiting for the federal government to enact new laws.
“If you ask me, vapes are more dangerous than cigarettes. About 65% of vapes contain banned substances like methamphetamine and ecstasy, both classified as poisons,” Bernama quoted him as saying in Alor Setar.
Johor has maintained its ban on vapes and has not issued any licences for their sale since Jan 1, 2016, enforcing laws prohibiting vaping and taking action against vape traders.
Ayob said fentanyl has also been detected in vape liquids, with effects 100 times stronger and more dangerous than morphine and 20 to 40 times stronger than heroin.
He said a drug laboratory raided by the Bukit Aman narcotics crime investigation department in an operation in Kedah yesterday also uncovered activities involving the processing of vape liquids containing drugs.
In the operation, police seized 110 vape cartridges and 67 bottles of vape liquid produced in the laboratory, intended for distribution in Kedah, Penang and the Klang Valley.
“The operation covered the Kuala Muda, Pendang, Kota Setar and Pokok Sena zones, with 61 individuals arrested and various types of drugs estimated to be worth RM6 million seized for further action,” he said.
Ayob said police would apply for an allocation of RM80 million from the home ministry to acquire new equipment and enhance the force’s capability to detect new drugs. - FMT

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