00:00Singapore's Health Minister Ong Ye Kung has urged ASEAN nations to follow his country's example in banning vapes,
00:07warning that the devices pose a dangerous gateway to nicotine addiction among young people.
00:13Ong said that Brunei, Laos and Cambodia have already implemented the ban,
00:18adding that Thailand, which allows medical marijuana, has also outlawed it,
00:22and Malaysia plans to ban it in one year's time.
00:25During a dialogue with Malaysian journalists in the city-state,
00:28he said he hopes that ASEAN as a region can move collectively in this direction.
00:34On September 25th, Ong's Malaysian counterpart, Zokifli Ahmad, said
00:39his ministry aims to ban the sale of vapes and electronic cigarettes by the middle of next year.
00:45Explaining Singapore's position, Ong said his country took a decision to outlaw e-vaporisers from day one
00:51after concluding that the health risks far outweigh any claim of harm reduction.
00:56He also admitted that Singapore faces challenges in tackling the smuggling and illicit use of vapes,
01:03but emphasised that the problem would have been far greater if vaping were allowed.
01:08Hanyu Jo, FMT.
Comments