Latest news with #MalaysianVapeChamberof
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
'Adopt more balanced regulatory approach'
AS more states move to ban the retail sale of vape products, industry players and consumer representatives have urged the government to adopt a more balanced regulatory approach. They claimed that outright bans could fuel the black market. Citing the existing framework under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852), the Malaysian Vape Chamber of Commerce (MVCC) and Consumer Choice Centre Malaysia highlighted the need for effective enforcement of national regulations rather than sweeping prohibitions at the state level. "The vape industry in Malaysia is not a fringe sector. It is a legal, regulated industry that contributes significantly to the national economy," said the MVCC and CCC in a joint statement. Gaps in Enforcement and Regulation Samsul Kamal Ariffin, president of the Malaysian Vape Entities Organisation, said the core issue lies in regulatory imbalances that focus heavily on retailers and end users, while overlooking manufacturers and import-export operations. "Current enforcement efforts are concentrated on retail premises and users. Meanwhile, vape liquid mixers face no action whatsoever. This creates an enforcement vacuum," he said. He pointed out that the vape industry is a full-fledged ecosystem with its own supply chain. Vape liquids typically contain ingredients such as vegetable glycerin, propylene glycol, nicotine and flavourings - substances also used in common food products like ice cream and cakes. As such, the liquids, he contended, are fundamentally not hazardous if properly regulated. Easy Access for Youth Samsul raised concerns about the increasing abuse of vape products. "Vape is now sold in convenience stores, restaurants, mobile agents and various other channels. The vague retail policy makes enforcement difficult," he said. Representing over 60,000 individuals advocating against youth vape abuse, he proposed a mandatory written declaration for customers who appear underage before being allowed to buy vape products. He also suggested banning vape sales within a one-kilometre radius of schools, particularly disposable pod-based products that appeal to younger demographics. Tighter Packaging Standards Needed Samsul highlighted the need for stricter regulation over vape liquid content and packaging to prevent the inclusion of prohibited substances. "This can only be achieved through clear ministry guidelines and updated packaging standards, replacing the current minimal requirements." He reiterated that vaping could serve as an effective method to help adult smokers gradually quit smoking. "Numerous case studies from the UK show that vaping is more effective than nicotine patches, gums or pills in helping smokers quit," he claimed, adding that vape liquid compositions are safe if used correctly. Currently, the sale, manufacturing and import-export of vape products in Malaysia are regulated under Act 852. From Aug 1 this year, Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan and Terengganu are slated to ban the retail sale of vape products, joining Johor, which has enforced such a ban since 2015. However, usage remains legal in these states. Former health minister Datuk Seri Dr. Zaliha Mustafa had previously noted that vape taxation could contribute up to RM500 million annually to the national coffers. Meanwhile, Malaysian Economic Movement president Armin Baniaz Pahamin said despite enforcement costs estimated at RM142 million, current vape tax revenues have reached RM376 million. "The core issue is preventing imported vape liquids from entering the country through both legal and illegal channels. Black market products are far more dangerous. This is not just a health issue but also a revenue matter." Armin called for stricter monitoring of imported vape products and emphasised that the ultimate goal of vaping should be to help smokers quit. "Every drop of vape liquid should meet a higher standard than those set by the Department of Standards Malaysia," he added. Consistent Enforcement Across Jurisdictions He underlined the need for fair and consistent enforcement between the federal and state levels. "We cannot have a situation where federal laws are in place but ignored at the state level. Vape specialty shops are being shut down, yet pod products can still be bought from regular convenience stores," he said. Professor Dr. Ahmed Razman Abdul Latiff of Putra Business School, at a recent forum, stressed the importance of renewed discussions among all stakeholders. "Where there is demand, there will be supply. The best solution lies in negotiation and finding a win-win resolution for all parties involved," he said.
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
NST Leader: Malaysia's drug-laced vape crisis
Whether we like it or not, we must acknowledge that Malaysia is facing a vape crisis. We can't claim to be surprised. Malaysia's Health and Morbidity Survey, as long ago as 2022, alerted the nation of the growing danger: 14.9 per cent of school students aged 13-17 were vape users. Three states have done the wise thing. Perlis, Terengganu and Johor have either banned vaping or stopped issuing licences to vape traders. But Malaysia isn't just the three states. A nationwide ban is needed if we want to save our teenagers from ruining their lives, and simultaneously protecting the nation's future. True, as lawyers point out, there is a chance for state laws to be in conflict with federal laws to the extent the former aren't consistent with the latter as spelt out in Article 75 of the Federal Constitution. A nationwide ban will avoid this. What takes a country to a good place? Human resources — the educated and healthy ones. Both of these are a challenge when Malaysians start vaping as early as 12. The vape industry is big. According to the Malaysian Vape Industry Study 2023 by the Malaysian Vape Chamber of Commerce, the business was worth RM3.48 billion in 2023. There were 306 vape industry players in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Melaka and Penang alone in 2022. The industry as a whole employed 31,500 people, more than double that of 2019. The study also revealed that there were 1.4 million adult vape users. Sure, traders and workers will be impacted. But why perpetuate an unhealthy — even a dangerous — trade that will only cost the government more in health bills later? Isn't prevention better than cure? Prevention was also in the mind of Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, when, on April 17, he urged other states to ban vaping. His call to action is not about a future threat, but a present danger. The police are detecting more and more vape use being linked to synthetic drug abuse, he told reporters. A worrying 65 per cent of vape contents had methamphetamine and ecstasy, two drugs favoured by teenagers. Students as young as 13 years old were found using vape devices containing liquids mixed with drugs. Welcome to the world of drug-laced vapes, known as "Kpods", whose deceptive flavours lead the young into the venomous world of zombies. One puff and the rest is an addled-mind story. Little do the teenagers realise the long-term neurological and organ damage such "zombie" drugs cause. If this isn't worrying enough, vape-drug processing laboratories are being discovered around the country. On April 16, the police uncovered a drug laboratory in Kedah processing vape liquids containing drugs. The processed drugs were meant for distribution in Kedah, Penang and the Klang Valley. The police arrested 61 people and seized RM6 million worth of drugs in the raid. If drug syndicates used to import them from the Golden Triangle, they have now set up drug processing labs here, with generous help from greedy locals.
New Straits Times
11-05-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
No watchdog, more risk: Vape misuse soars amid regulatory void
KUALA LUMPUR: The absence of a dedicated regulatory body overseeing the contents and quality of vape products in Malaysia is a significant factor contributing to their misuse, including the presence of illicit substances. Malaysian Vape Chamber of Commerce (MVCC) secretary-general Ridhwan Rosli said that without proper oversight, there would be no mechanism to verify the safety and legality of vape products available to consumers. This lack of regulation had led to instances where vapes were used to consume illegal drugs, he told Buletin Utama. "There is no agency in Malaysia that regulates the quality of vape products. This is exactly why we're seeing the misuse of vapes for drug consumption," he added. Ridhwan said that the absence of checks allowed for the sale of unverified and potentially harmful products. He was commenting on the government's move to impose a ban on electronic cigarettes and vapes — a decision that has left many industry players and traders in a state of uncertainty. He said that instead of an outright ban, the government should consider implementing a proper regulatory framework to control and monitor the industry. Malaysian Organisation of Vape Entities (Move) president Samsul Kamal Ariffin said that such a ban could lead to the proliferation of untested and unapproved products, exacerbating health risks. "We will lose out on the consumer side, as the products will no longer be regulated at all — this will lead to a black market filled with untested and unapproved items," he said. Pointing out the economic implications, he said that the government would miss out on potential tax revenue from the industry. According to the Malaysian Vape Industry Study 2023, the vape market was valued at over RM3.48 billion in 2023, involving more than 7,500 premises and employing over 31,500 individuals. The study indicates that a significant number of smokers have switched to vaping, with 31 per cent of Malaysian smokers having completely transitioned to vape products. On May 4, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said that the government was encouraging more states to cease issuing licences to premises selling vape and e-cigarettes, in line with actions already taken by some states. On April 24, Terengganu Local Government, Housing and Health Committee chairman Datuk Wan Sukairi Wan Abdullah announced that the state would ban the sale of vape products at all premises from Aug 1. Wan Sukairi said the decision was a proactive measure to curb the sale and use of vape products, which could have negative health effects on the younger generation. On April 27, Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said he wanted to emulate Terengganu's move, adding that he would raise the matter at the state executive council meeting. Previously, both Johor and Kelantan had enforced a ban on the sale of vape and e-cigarette products since January 2016.
Free Malaysia Today
28-04-2025
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
Time to revive GEG, Tuan Ibrahim tells govt
Deputy IGP Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said more states should ban the sale of e-cigarettes and vapes as they were becoming increasingly linked to the abuse of new synthetic drugs. PETALING JAYA : PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man has urged the government to consider reviving the generational endgame (GEG) bill as several states consider banning the sale of vapes and e-cigarettes. The Kubang Kerian MP said Putrajaya should emulate Johor and Terengganu in banning the sale of vapes and e-cigarettes, with Terengganu's ban coming into effect on Aug 1. He pointed out that the Kedah, Penang and Selangor governments were also mulling following suit. 'This step should have been taken by the unity government long ago, but it places more importance on the tax revenue it earns from the vape industry than the more concerning health effects, especially on youths. 'For the sake of the health and wellbeing of future generations, the government of the day should continue the measures taken by the previous Perikatan Nasional-led government. 'If the people's health is truly the priority and the government sincerely wants to put an end to this vape problem, then implementing the GEG is the right move. It's now up to the unity government,' he said in a Facebook post. Tuan Ibrahim pointed out that the Malaysian Vape Chamber of Commerce previously estimated that there were more than 1.5 million vape users in Malaysia in 2022, and said this was bound to increase annually. The GEG provision, which was to ban the sale and use of tobacco products to those born on or after Jan 1, 2007, was removed from the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023. Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad had even apologised to the Senate for the provision's exclusion, which the Attorney-General's Chambers had said would be unconstitutional. Earlier this month, deputy inspector-general of police Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said more states should ban the sale of e-cigarettes and vapes as they were becoming increasingly linked to the abuse of new synthetic drugs. Ayob said students as young as 13 have been caught using vapes containing substances mixed with drugs, and that fentanyl-laced vape liquids have been found, with effects 100 times stronger and more dangerous than morphine. In response, Dzulkefly said the issuance of licences to vape and e-cigarette traders was under the purview of state and local authorities. Terengganu announced that it would ban the sale of vapes and e-cigarettes from Aug 1, becoming the second state to do so after Johor, which introduced the ban in 2016. Despite Tuan Ibrahim's call, public health expert Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh said stricter controls were better than banning vape outright, and that other nations that introduced GEG laws later abandoned them based on poor results.
