Are tobacco products already banned from vending machines?

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Tobacco Products Are Prohibited from Vending Machines Under Existing Regulations

Existing regulations already prohibit the sale of tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, and loose tobacco, through vending machines. This prohibition is part of the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations (PPKHT) 2004, specifically Regulation 10, which falls under the Food Act 1983. The Ministry of Health (MoH) is currently refining regulations to extend this ban to all smoking products, including e-cigarettes, in preparation for the enforcement of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024.
Prohibition Under Control of Tobacco Product Regulations 2004

Regulation 10 of the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations (PPKHT) 2004 explicitly forbids the sale of tobacco products via vending machines. This regulation, enacted under the Food Act 1983 (Act 281), has been in place to control the accessibility of tobacco products. The MoH's recent actions indicate a continuation and potential expansion of this established ban.
Extension to E-cigarettes and Vaping Products

The Ministry of Health is clarifying regulations to ensure that the ban on sales through vending machines encompasses all smoking products, including e-cigarettes and vaping devices. This move follows viral social media posts highlighting the sale of e-cigarettes through vending machines. The ministry views the sale of such products via vending machines as a continuation of the existing prohibition on tobacco products.
Enforcement Preparations for New Legislation

In anticipation of the upcoming Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852), the MoH has been conducting briefings for enforcement officers nationwide. These sessions, which began on June 9, aim to familiarise officers from the MoH and local authorities with the prohibitions stipulated in the new Act and its associated regulations. A key focus of these briefings is to inform officers about the ban on selling smoking products, including e-cigarettes, through vending machines.
Immediate Action Taken on Viral Incident

Following the circulation of a video on X showing e-cigarettes being sold through a vending machine, the MoH engaged with the management of the involved shopping centre. The ministry explained the existing ban on vending machine sales and recommended the immediate shutdown of the machine as a matter of social responsibility. The management of the shopping centre subsequently agreed to this recommendation.

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Are tobacco products already banned from vending machines?

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