THE Malaysian government stands to lose savings of RM1.3 bil in healthcare spending from treating cigarette smoking-related diseases by 2025 if the upcoming Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2023 imposes punitive regulations on the vape industry.
Two notable punitive action are the banning of vape product display by retailers and standardised packaging requirement.
These findings were previously highlighted by socio-economic think tank Datametrics Research and Information Centre Sdn Bhd (DARE) based on its “Clearing the Smoke: Tobacco Harm Reduction” report published in 2022.
To realise these savings, DARE recommends implementing sensible, risk-proportionate regulations for vape with harm reduction strategies at the core.
“Our findings clearly show that Malaysia will be able to reap tangible results from embracing harm reduction strategies which will reduce smoking population in Malaysia to four million by 2025 as opposed to punitive regulations on vape products,” revealed DARE’s managing director Pankaj Kumar.
“Such drastic moves will send the wrong message on less harmful products and will deter smokers to switch to less harmful products which in turn will not see the government reap the potential savings from healthcare spend to treat cigarette smoking related diseases.”
Harm reduction strategy
Back in March 2024, the Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni had told the Dewan Rakyat that the Health Ministry (MOH) is considering various measures on vape products, including standardised packaging and controls on vape liquid flavour.
In addition to these measures, local industry players have also revealed that MOH had met them to discuss the intent to also ban display of vape products at retailers as well as to standardise the shape for all vape products.
“Through harm reduction strategies, Malaysia has a real opportunity to reduce its cigarette smoking population and in turn, decrease the incidence of smoking-related diseases,” Pankaj pointed out.
“It is crucial for the Malaysian government to consider global proven models where harm reduction approaches have been effective in reducing smoking prevalence.”
Therefore, DARE urges the government to explore harm reduction models from countries such as the UK and Sweden whereby harm reduction has been part of the strategy to reduce smoking prevalence.
“Emulating these approaches can lead to positive public health outcomes and contribute to reducing the burden of tobacco-related diseases in Malaysia,” asserted Pankaj.
Moreover, global think tank, We Are Innovation, has recently revealed a comprehensive 2024 Effective Anti-Smoking Policies Global Index. In its report, the think tank identified the UK, Sweden and Slovakia as the top three countries with the most effective anti-smoking policies whereby harm reduction strategies are accepted and implemented.
“The report found that countries which are successful in reducing cigarette smoking prevalence have integrated tobacco harm reduction approach to enable cigarette smokers to obtain access to alternative and less harmful nicotine products alongside traditional measures,” noted Pankaj.
“On the contrary, countries at the bottom of the rankings often adopt a more restrictive stance by focusing intensely on abstinence.”
He added: “That Malaysia is ranked 49th on the list shows that there is still room for improvement. If Malaysia wants to achieve its smoke-free aspiration, it is crucial to look at embracing harm reduction approach which has been proven successful in other countries.” – May 16, 2024
