Vape entrepreneurs should “gradually transform and venture into more promising industries,” said Ripin Lamat, the state deputy minister for youth, sports and entrepreneur development, the state communications unit Ukas reported.

“E-cigarette liquids will destroy our young generation and will ultimately undermine the values of future generations. Therefore, I fully support the implementation of this ban in Sarawak,” he said.

Vape sellers could find other more suitable business areas that could bring greater value to society, he said.

It was reported yesterday that the Sarawak government was formulating a law to ban the sale and use of vaping devices and electronic cigarettes.

A state Cabinet paper is being prepared and the state attorney general, state secretary and state financial officer were being consulted on the law, said Fatimah Abdullah, the Sarawak minister for women, community wellbeing and family development.

In July, state youth, sports and entrepreneur development minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said Sarawak would enforce a state-wide ban on the sale of vape products following growing concerns over their misuse for drug abuse.

Several state governments have moved towards completely banning the sale of vapes, including Selangor, Perlis, Terengganu, Kedah and Pahang, while Johor and Kelantan have banned the sale of these products since 2016 and 2015, respectively.