JOHOR BARU (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Government offices in the state will be off limits to vapers from Jan 1.

Johor state secretary Datuk Ismail Karim said that a circular on the ban would be issued to government offices as soon as possible.

"The restriction on vaping applies to civil servants as well as visitors to government offices," he told The Star on Thursday (Dec 3).

Ismail added that the restriction takes effect on the same implementation date for the ban of vape sales in Johor.

The Star earlier reported that Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar had ordered a ban on vape sales in the state and told traders to wrap up business before Jan 1.

It was also reported on news portals that the Royal Council had issued a notice prohibiting staff members of the council from using vape products on Dec 1.

In the circular, all officers and workers under the Johor Royal Council and other departments in the palace were prohibited from using vape products in any form when on palace grounds and buildings which come under the Johor Royal Palace.