Letting US-based firm make e-cigarettes in Johor ‘a huge mistake', says expert

Free Malaysia Today

3 days ago

Ispire Technology Inc claimed to be the only company fully authorised to manufacture, import, and export nicotine products in Malaysia, and said it could start operations immediately. (LinkedIn pic)
PETALING JAYA : A health expert has criticised the move to grant a US-based company licence to manufacture electronic cigarette devices with nicotine-based liquids or gels in Johor, describing it as 'a huge mistake'.
Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar said the green light for Ispire Technology Inc would give the impression that the government endorsed the vape industry.
He said this was at odds with its efforts to curb smoking, especially among the youth.
'It is a huge misstep by the government, and now they are in damage control mode,' he told FMT, referring to the health ministry's assurance that nicotine-based vape liquids remain tightly regulated.
'Malaysia aims to become a tobacco-free nation by 2040, but this licence is inconsistent with its goal.'
Health think tank CodeBlue recently reported that Ispire Technology, which operates a facility in Senai, Johor, had its interim licence approved last month by both federal and state authorities.
The company claimed to be the only one fully authorised to manufacture, import, and export nicotine products in Malaysia, and said it could start operations immediately.
The health ministry subsequently said that nicotine-based vape liquids remained tightly regulated under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852), despite their approval for sale in Malaysia.
The ministry said these products fell under the category of 'smoking products', under Section 2 of Act 852 which covers any substances used for smoking including nicotine, propylene glycol, glycerol, and triethylene glycol.
It also said that the manufacturing licence was issued by the investment, trade and industry ministry through the Malaysian Investment Development Authority, under the Industrial Coordination Act 1975.
The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) agreed that granting Ispire Technology a licence would send mixed signals.
Fomca CEO T Saravanan said it would give the impression that the product was safe for consumption despite the lack of evidence that vape is a healthier alternative to smoking.
He added that public health should not take a back seat to the vape industry.
'If the government is really committed to protecting the younger generation from nicotine addiction, they should bar manufacturers from selling the product in the local market,' he said.