Uncertainty clouds future of vaping

The Star

2 days ago

SELANGOR is considering banning vape sales, following in the footsteps of Johor and Terengganu.
While rising health risks, especially among youths, is cited as a reason for the ban, vape users and industry players fear the move could fuel a dangerous black market and leave former smokers with nowhere to turn to.
L. Krishnakumar, 28, who used to be a heavy smoker, is one of those anxiously waiting for the state government's decision.
Like many cigarette smokers, he switched to vaping a few years ago and has not touched a cigarette since.
The transition was seamless for him, largely due to the more appealing flavours.
'When I smoked, I experienced tightness in my chest and breathing issues, which disappeared after I started vaping,' Krishnakumar said.
However, he is aware that switching to vaping is not without health risks.
A May 18 report in The Star quoting health experts highlighted the dangers of unregulated vapes.
They noted that many of the liquids in these vapes were found to ­contain heavy metals, synthetic cannabinoids and harmful solvents, increasing the risk of respiratory and neurological damage, particularly among adolescents.
A sign at a shop in Petaling Jaya prohibiting vaping and smoking on its premises. — AZMAN GHANI/The Star
There is also growing research on the addictive nature of vaping and e-cigarettes, and their effects on the heart and lungs.
Even the police are sounding the alarm.
On April 17, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay pointed out the increasing link between vaping and synthetic drug abuse.
He urged state governments to ban the sale of e-cigarettes and vapes, citing public safety concerns.
Following this, Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the state would consider studying a proposal to ban vape sales.
At a Putrajaya event on May 26, he said a decision on the proposed ban would be announced 'in a few days'.
Industry concerns
Despite recognising the health risks associated with vaping, Krishnakumar finds himself in a bind.
Alternatives like nicotine gum have not worked for him.
'Banning vape could push people to the black market or online purchases, which are not regulated,' he warned.
Aiman A., who is from Johor, offers insights from his experience living in a state where vape products have been banned since 2016.
'Shops still sell vape products, often inside stores selling clothes or fashion items,' he noted while highlighting a shift towards online platforms.
Joshua J, a vape shop manager in Petaling Jaya, argues that targeting legal vape businesses is unfair, as most adhere to government regulations.
'We undergo rigorous processes such as obtaining Standard and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia (Sirim) certifications, and submitting Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), yet face a potential ban,' he said.
(MSDS is a document that outlines the chemical properties, health hazards and safety precautions of substances used in vape liquids, required as part of product compliance).
Joshua said the real issue was illegal substances being sold under the guise of vape ­liquids, not the regulated products.
He explained that legitimate businesses, which comply with regulations, were wrongly associated with dangerous black market operators.
'We know our ingredients and suppliers. Everything in our business is traceable,' he said.
Joshua noted the rise in illicit substances such as marijuana oil, methamphetamine and psilocybin being sold as vape liquids (see graphic below).
Muhammad Sha'ani: The state government should prioritise enforcement of vape sales targeted at children and teenagers.
'These drugs are very potent. Just one or two drops in a refillable device can cause hallucinations or seizures,' he warned.
Joshua also highlighted inconsistencies in enforcing the law across local councils.
'Vape shop owners face regular enforcement from the local authorities due to the unclear legal status of this business.'
He claimed enforcement officers from Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) visit his shop frequently to issue compounds.
It is understood that vaping devices are allowed to be sold in commercial premises in Petaling Jaya but not vape liquid nicotine.
Public health and safety
Malaysian Council for Tobacco Control secretary-general Muhammad Sha'ani Abdullah said the vape industry should not be defended due to the impact vaping had on the young.
He said synthetic drugs such as methamphetamine, ketamine and liquid cannabis could easily be consumed through vaping devices.
In the case of Selangor, Muhammad Sha'ani said the state government could start by ordering the local authorities to stop approving or renewing the licences of businesses selling vape. Saravanan says if Selangor moves forward with a ban, it will send a strong message nationally and may encourage more states to follow suit.
However, he said a 'transition period' would be needed for the implementation.
'In this period, the state government should prioritise enforcement against vape sales targeted at children and teenagers,' he said.
He suggested engraving buyer identities on devices for accountability.
Education and awareness should also be ­promoted among children and teenagers as well as their parents, so that they know the dangers of synthetic drugs and vaping.
Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations chief executive officer Dr Saravanan Thambirajah stressed the need for Selangor to act as a leader by implementing a ban with clear local laws.
'If Selangor moves forward with a ban, it will send a strong message nationally and may encourage more states to follow suit,' said Saravanan.
'However, the ban must be implemented through clear and enforceable local laws under the jurisdictions of local councils.'
He also called for vape-free zones in youth activity spaces such as schools, tuition centres and playgrounds.
'Schools should also implement strict anti-vaping rules and offer nicotine cessation support for addicted students,' he added.
'Engagement with religious leaders, non-governmental organisations and parent-teacher associations will also help in reaching wider audiences and building a community-driven response on the issue of vaping.'
On vape infused with synthetic drugs, Saravanan said these drugs were often odourless and masked with flavours, making them hard to detect.
'Vapers often do not realise what they are inhaling.
'The covert nature of these drugs, combined with the appeal of vaping devices, has created an easy channel for synthetic drug abuse among youths,' he said.
To combat this, he suggested strengthening surveillance of vape sales and testing capabilities to detect drugs in vape content.
'Random product testing at retail outlets, supported by state health and forensic labs, can help identify illegal substances early,' he said.
Advertising crackdown
State public health and environment committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin announced last month that all local authorities in Selangor had been instructed to seize and confiscate advertisements related to electronic cigarette products in the state.
She said this action was in line with the provisions of the Control of Tobacco Product for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852), which explicitly prohibits any form of advertising, promotion and sponsorship related to cigarettes and electronic smoking products.'
Selangor local government and tourism committee chairman Datuk Ng Suee Lim said tackling vape advertising was a crucial step in addressing the issue.
'Many sellers operate without a licence and promote products online,' he told StarMetro.
Ng said notices would first be issued to sellers, requesting them to remove the advertisements.
'If they do not comply by the stipulated date, local authorities will take action and fines will be imposed,' he stated.
Currently, the Health Ministry has not implemented a ban on vaping, but instead regulates the substances contained in vape liquids through Act 852.
Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad had said that states were empowered by local regulations to control the sale of vape devices within their jurisdictions.
From April 1, Act 852 came into force in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Penang, prohibiting point-of-sale display of smoking products at eateries and retail stores.
It also bans the display of all tobacco and vape products in retail stores.