KL Mall Removes Vape Vending Machine After Online Backlash
There was concern that the machine did not request any form of age verification before purchase.
By May Vin Ang — 12 Jul 2024, 11:41 AM
A mall in Kuala Lumpur has removed a vape vending machine that was set up on its premises after it received backlash on social media
Photos of the vending machine were posted on X by health news website CodeBlue's editor-in-chief Boo Su-Lyn.
She found that the machine did not request any form of age verification before purchase, and that payment can made easily via card or e-wallet. She also highlighted that the vending machine allows vape products to be sold without restrictions, even to minors.
"This is then-Health Minister [Zaliha Mustafa's] legacy — legalising nicotine vape for minors before [the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024] is passed.
"Till now, still no regulations," Boo wrote on Wednesday, 10 July.
Her tweet garnered over 500,000 views and 7,000 retweets, with other netizens sharing the same concerns
Yesterday, 11 July, following the online uproar, the mall said the vending machine was shut down and removed from its premises
A mall marketing officer told the New Straits Times that they removed the vending machines after receiving a visit from Health Ministry (MOH) officials.
"We knew the seriousness of the issue and took immediate action in front of them," the officer said, while also acknowledging the public's concerns.
The officer added that while the vending machine did not display signs indicating that the vape products are only for those aged 18 years and above, the mall was monitoring who purchased the products
"However, our mall is equipped with CCTV, and we monitor who is purchasing from our security room," the officer said.
She added that the vending machine was part of a market test for a potential permanent vape shop in the mall.
"We were also unsure even after allowing it, because it is a family mall; so we only [allowed] a short contract term for six months," she was quoted as saying.
