Latest news with #MalaysianVapeChamberof
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.
