KUALA LUMPUR: Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin (pix) has described the Health Ministry's (MOH) recent move of raiding premises selling flavoured liquids for electronic cigarettes (vapes), as rash.

He said that the action should be put on hold until a committee set up by MOH to resolve the issues relating to electronic cigarettes, made its final decision.

"Now, the Ministry of Health has announced that a special committee has been set up, so we hope that until the committee meets and makes its decision, no raids are conducted against the shops," he told reporters after witnessing the final round of the "Malaysian National Inter-Varsity Debating Championship 2015" here, today.

Health Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam had announced earlier today that a special committee had been set up to resolve issues relating to electronic cigarettes, which will be chaired by director-general of Health, Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

Khairy said that if MOH were to conduct seizures, it should hold discussions with vape entrepreneurs in advance to explain the reasons for the raid.

Khairy said he did not intend to encourage people, especially the youth, to use electronic cigarettes, but personally felt that the sale of the e-liquids should not be banned, but clearer regulatory controls should be set for the purpose instead.

"They've made a huge investment, and suddenly all their stock has been seized, this is a burden for them. In the interest of the public, we understand that this is a health issue, but we are asking for regulatory controls.

"I hope MOH comes up with the regulations as soon as possible so that everyone understands clearly, in terms of, for example, how much nicotine can be included (in e-liquids), so vape entrepreneurs can be clear on what can, and cannot be done. As long as they obey the law, they cannot be raided," he said. — Bernama