Vaping isn’t exactly a healthy habit, plus it’s much more dangerous for minors as nicotine exposure during the teenage years can harm brain development, which continues until about the age of 25.
Earlier this year, Malaysia legalised vaping, allowing for a legal loophole where the government cannot control their sale to and consumption by youths and children.
And while vape stores in Malaysia still display ’18 and above only’ signages in their stores, a team of journalists from 101 East under Al Jazeera are proving that these signages don’t matter as staff members of these stores are still selling to minors, in an undercover operation.
Taking to their Twitter account, they shared, “We went undercover to 6 vape shops in Kuala Lumpur. None of them asked our young buyer for ID before selling highly addictive nicotine-based vape products, despite 4 of them displaying 18+ signs.”
As vape stores are allowed to make their own decisions to not sell to minors, the investigation was conducted to test just how effective self-regulation is. To do that, they sent in someone with a teenage appearance to purchase ‘their first’ vape product.
The store staff members did not check the person’s ID and recommended flavours that would be suitable for beginners despite the person’s young appearance and the 18+ signages in 4 stores, proving that self-regulation just does not work.
You can check out their video from the investigation here:
We went undercover to 6 vape shops in Kuala Lumpur. None of them asked our young buyer for ID before selling highly addictive nicotine-based vape products, despite 4 of them displaying 18+ signs.
Find out more about the rise of vaping in Southeast Asia: https://t.co/pgMFmnQqZ5 pic.twitter.com/os8iJb2MHE
— 101 East (@AJ101East) July 16, 2023
What do you think about this? Do feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.
Also read: “I kawtim with the doctor” – M’sian Civil Servant Admits to Using Govt Funds for Cosmetic Braces
