WITH the Tobacco and Smoking Control Bill – which also lists vape as a product that will be banned for sale in the future – has been approved by the Cabinet for subsequent tabling in the current parliamentary session, it has not bode well with Malaysia’s booming vape industry.
Such move will impact the vape industry as Malaysia has a complete ecosystem consisting of suppliers, manufacturers, retailers and consumers, according to the Malaysian Vape Industry Advocacy (MVIA).
“The Government should consider the potential of the vape industry in Malaysia and the impact of this policy on the local industry,” opined MVIA’s president Rizani Zakaria.
“Previously, the Government had decided not to ban vape in 2015 but instead regulations would be introduced for the local vape industry.
At that time, the then-rural and regional development minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (now Prime Minister) had announced that vape would not be banned due to the potential of the local vape industry to compete globally.
“Through the years, the industry has been advocating for the Government to introduce laws and regulations for the vape industry,” noted Rizani.
“However, this drastic move shows that the Government is making a U-turn by banning the vape industry from operating in the future.”
As such, MVIA has urged the Government to review its policy given every drastic step taken will lead to one problem after another. “In this case, it will only result in future users turning to unregulated products,” added Rizani.
Moreover, the advocacy group which supports vape entrepreneurs and businesses, harm reduction, policies and safety standards also called on the Government to review scientific evidence on vape which has shown vape to be less harmful and capable in reducing the country’s smoking rate.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian Vape Chamber of Commerce (MVCC) rued that the Government is not only adamant to pursue the generation end game path by banning vape usage by anyone born after 2005, but also “carelessly equates vape with drugs which is a very wrong message”.
“(This indirectly) also encourages the black market because demand for the product is very high without supply in the legal market,” MVCC’s secretary-general Ridhwan Rosli pointed out.
“Consumers will try various means to obtain the product while the suppliers (smugglers) will find ways to provide the items through the black market.”
Ridhwan also regretted that the Health Ministry (MOH) has yet to share its decision on the introduction of vape regulations nor getting itself involved in the industry in discussions to regulate the vape industry.
“This decision will have a significant impact on the local industry which is worth RM2.27 bil. In fact, it will impact more than 3,000 local businesses in Malaysia and send the wrong message to foreign investors,” he added. – July 20, 2022
