Groups call for joint crack down on online vape sales
This comes as vapes and e-liquids are still being sold openly online, despite their prohibition under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act (Act 852).
Malaysian Council for Tobacco Control president Assoc Prof Dr M. Murallitharan said tackling the issue could not solely rest with the Health Ministry.
'The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and other related authorities must take a strong policing stance.
'It is not a single agency or ministry's issue.
'The Health Ministry can take the lead, but the other authorities must come on board,' he said.
'It is a joke that these products can be found so easily, and that the issue cannot be resolved,' he said.
'Any quarters found doing this should be taken to task,' he said.
Without any strict policing efforts, he said Act 852 would remain just for optics.
Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) senior education officer NV Subbarow said both the Health Ministry and MCMC must work together to eradicate online sales of vapes and e-liquids.
'If MCMC can take immediate action against provocative statements online, why can't it take action against online vape sellers?' he said.
'Our government must be very serious in tackling this. There must be no excuses.'
He said a lack of enforcement could expose children to more harmful substances in the future.
Meanwhile, vape groups also voiced support for the ban on online vape sales.
'We are completely against this (online sales) as it makes the product accessible to minors. These websites don't have any age verification,' said Malaysian Organisation of Vape Entities president Samsul Kamal Arrifin.
He urged MCMC to block access to websites selling vape products and for authorities to ensure the location of premises applying to sell vapes are not near schools or easily accessible to schoolchildren.
Samsul Kamal also called on the Health Ministry to ensure the products are only sold in specialised vape shops and not convenience stores.
'The former have trained staff who can verify the age of buyers,' he said.
According to Malaysia E-Vapor-isers and Tobacco Alternative Association secretary Zain Azrul, selling vape products through independent websites is illegal and goes against regulatory goals, public health and the integrity of licensed businesses.
'All sales should go through licensed physical retail shops with proper age verification.
'Illegal online sales pose a serious risk by avoiding in-person age verification,' he said.
The group also strongly supports strict enforcement measures against illegal online sales of vape products, he added.
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