The Malaysian government plans to ban the sale of vapers and electronic cigarettes to individuals born after 2005. This generational vape ban has been seen by many within the industry as a move by the government aimed at killing their industry. This will be catastrophic to the country and they urge the government to reconsider its stand. The vaping industry in the country is worth RM2.27 billion and employs thousands of people.
Mohamad Neezam Talib, the president of the Malaysia E-Vaporizers & Tobacco Alternative Association (MEVTA) believes that vapes and cigarettes are two different products and therefore should not be lumped together under the same law.
“Vapes are a less harmful alternative to cigarettes and can help hardcore smokers quit smoking. The government should see vaping as a method to reduce the number of smokers in the country as it has proven effective in other countries. This policy sends the wrong message to smokers today because it equates cigarettes and vapes as products with the same risks,” he said
Datuk Adzwan Ab Manas, the president of the Malaysia Retail Electronic Cigarette Association (MRECA) on his part said that the vaping industry in Malaysia is mainly made up of Bumiputera entrepreneurs. He believes these entrepreneurs will be badly affected were the government bans vaping products as has been proposed.
“The fate of the RM2.27 billion industry, as well as 15,000 employees and 3,000 vape businesses in Malaysia, will be affected if the government does not give due consideration to this ban. Malaysia is considered one of the leading vape producers in the world. It also has great potential to attract domestic and foreign investors. With this policy, it will stunt the potential of Malaysia as a producer of vape products in the world,” he said while giving a joint statement with MEVTA’s Mohamad Neezam Talib.
The two leaders are arguing the government to focus on developing a better regulatory framework for the vaping industry first. They say this has been delayed for far too long and will help the government have a better perspective on the products instead of lumping them in the same class as traditional tobacco products.
Khairy Jamaluddin, the minister for health reported that the Tobacco and Smoking Control Bill was approved on the 13th of July 2022 by the cabinet. He says the bill is on its way for tabling in parliament. This is something that many in the vaping industry are against. This is particularly because the proposed bill prevents anyone bone after January 2005 from buying tobacco products.
