FOUR industry associations representing more than 3,000 entrepreneurs and businesses as well as 15,000 employees from the manufacturing, distribution and retail sectors in the vape industry have submitted a memorandum to urge the Government to consider the future of Malaysia’s vape industry when developing regulations.
The four are the Malaysia Retail Electronic Cigarette Association (MRECA), Malaysian Vape Chamber of Commerce (MVCC), Malay Vape Traders Association (PPVM) and the Malaysian E-Vaporisers and Tobacco Alternative Association (MEVTA).
The move follows the Health Ministry’s (MOH) plan to introduce a new policy which will be tabled in the forthcoming Parliament session this month.
Although MOH has held few engagement sessions with the industry on vape regulations in the recent months, the views of the industry have not been given due consideration, according to MRECA president Datuk Adzwan Ab Manas.
“As an association that represents the voice of local vape industry manufacturers, we believe our views are very important when developing regulations for this industry as it involves the future of local players,” he pointed out in a joint statement.
Adzwan added that traditional cigarettes and vape are two completely different products. Cigarettes are made from tobacco leaves, burnt and emits smoke that are toxic and clearly harmful.
“Vape, however, is a product that heats e-liquids to produce vapor consisting of vegetable glycerin (VG), propylene glycol (PG), flavours and nicotine,” he clarified.
“Vape users and the public should be exposed to the correct information – that the harms from traditional cigarettes and vape is completely different. Therefore, the regulations should also be different.”
Meanwhile, MEVTA’s president Mohamad Neezam Talib said the proposal to equate traditional cigarettes and vape which will culminate in MOH implementing a ban on the sale and use of vape to anyone born after 2005 will negatively impact local vape entrepreneurs and the entire vape ecosystem.
“This proposal will have a significant impact on local entrepreneurs and will slow down the vape industry in Malaysia,” he opined.
“Any regulation introduced must take into account the future of the local vape industry as well as the potential of the industry in taking over the tobacco industry as more and more smokers are switching to vape in an effort to quit smoking.”
Elsewhere, PPVM’s president Sabri Ismail requested the Government to coordinate the implementation of vape regulations among the relevant ministries.
“For example, last year the Finance Ministry (MOF) announced a taxation framework for vape e-liquids to take effect this year while the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry introduced a law to implement SIRIM certification for vape devices to be enforced this year,” he revealed.
“Following this, MOH will introduce regulations for vape products and the industry. All planning, legislations and regulations related to vape should be coordinated among the various departments and ministries. It should not be contradictory and different as this will cause confusion.”
Additionally, MVCC’s secretary-general Ridhwan Rosli urged the Government to outline a policy for investment in the industry.
“The Government needs to streamline the import and export policy of vape products because currently there is no policy on this matter,” he suggested. “By strengthening the guidelines for trade policy, we will be able to attract domestic investments and foreign direct investments (FDI) which will lead to positive industry growth.” – July 13, 2022
