The whole vaping saga is quite an interesting story. Put the whatever health effects versus habits aside, how the public and govt reacts is quite a telling story.
1. Like many actions taken by authorities, initial "hot hot chicken sh*t" action is taken without a proper framework or objective. Just to put on a show of efficiency (without effectiveness)
2. The public, vapers or non-vapers alike are not well inform of their stand of action. This is like some movies or tv series where enforcement officers throw in a court subpoena through a door gap and smashes down the door for arrests.... Also this is akin to the recent overnight changes of RapidKL bus numbers that left many people confused and confounded. As always, let the rakyat adjust eventually.
3. The power of people is demonstrated here when people who can afford a lifestyle (of vaping) and not those who can be swayed by a Br1M contribution speak up with threats of ruling govt losing votes in the next GE. Almost immediately there is conflicting statements within the same ministry (of health) where the deputy minister speaks of hasty action by his own enforcement officers. To top it off other ministers even glorify the opportunity to grow the industry into an international hub. (I know... Even I'm scratching my head)
4. Seeing from a public servant's point of view (enforcement officers), it is a case of being stuck in a Catch22 situation. On one hand carrying out a directive to raid and enforce. On the other hand being criticised for taking action hastily. (Huh??)
5. If only more citizens of ALL ethnicity came together (without having to physically gather) to repeatedly declare that they would not support the ruling govt in the next GE because of short sighted or illogical or corrupted policies and actions, maybe and just maybe the true power of democracy can be served. In many countries public polls are carried out to determine the effectiveness of an action versus public sentiment and how it will affect the govt chances of reelection into office.
