A LOCAL vape consumer advocacy group has called on all parties to stop associating “energy stick” nasal inhalers with vape products following news reports of the rise in the use of these nasal inhalers among school children with linkage to drug use and vape products.
In a statement on Thursday (Feb 8), the Malaysian Vapers Alliance emphasised that there is no linkage between the two products.
“These are two different products. Facts state that nasal inhaler products contain oils, mint or camphor while vape e-liquids contain vegetable glycerin, propylene glycol, nicotine. Also, the manner these two products used are totally different,” said its president Khairil Azizi Khairuddin.
“Furthermore, there are no studies linking the use of nasal inhalers with vape products. Any parties stating otherwise are causing confusion with misinformation and we urge all parties to stop associating the ‘energy stick’ nasal inhaler with vape products to avoid confusion.”
Khairil further remarked that following the recent approval of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023 in Parliament, the Health Ministry (MOH) should hold consultations with industry players and consumer bodies in developing regulations that will be introduced to regulate vape products.
“MVA believes it is important that regulations need to take into consideration the current consumption pattern of adult vapers to prevent unintended consequences,” he stated.
“We urge the MOH to hold consultation sessions with all relevant parties to ensure the regulations are drafted appropriately.
“MVA is concerned that if regulations that are introduced are not aligned with consumer consumption patterns, the situation will push vapers to turn to unregulated products or more dangerously, cause ex-smokers to revert back to traditional cigarettes.”
MVA also urged the Ministry to consider tobacco harm reduction approach which has shown success in Malaysia given majority of vapers in Malaysia are ex-smokers.
“Our findings last year indicates that 73.7% of vapers in Malaysia are ex-smokers and majority of them use vape because it is effective to help them to quit smoking traditional cigarettes,” Zairil elaborated.
“Therefore, it is crucial for the Ministry to look at the tobacco harm reduction approach seriously and come up with policies and regulations that are differentiated from traditional cigarettes to facilitate more smokers to switch to vape products.” – Feb 8, 2024
Main pic credit: FMT
