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Free Malaysia Today
14-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
State vape bans causing confusion, says industry player
The director of a local vape company has warned that outright bans could fuel the growth of an unregulated black market, posing greater risks to public health. PETALING JAYA : A local vape company has urged state governments to review their bans on the sale of vape devices, arguing that the restrictions contradict the federal legislation currently in effect. Shahabudeen Jalil, director of Nanostix Innovations Sdn Bhd, said the federal government had already passed the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024, which legally regulates the vape industry. He said the differing approaches taken by some states had created confusion, not only for industry stakeholders but for consumers as well. 'As a homegrown vape brand operating since 2018, Nanostix has complied with all applicable legal requirements,' he said in a statement. 'State-level bans need to be reconsidered more thoroughly to avoid legal inconsistencies and public misunderstanding. 'We believe the real issue is the misuse of vape products by irresponsible parties, especially the smuggling of banned substances like 'vape magic mushrooms' into the country.' Johor was the first state to impose a full ban on vape sales in 2016, followed by Kelantan and Terengganu, which cited health risks and religious concerns. Other states like Melaka, Selangor, and Perlis are currently considering stricter controls due to the rise in vape usage among the youth. Shahabudeen warned that outright bans could push the industry into the shadows, fuelling the growth of an unregulated black market and posing greater risks to public health. Instead, he called for stronger enforcement of the existing laws and better monitoring of illegal drug smuggling and raw material safety, particularly for locally made vape products. 'It's essential to have engagement with the industry before making decisions that could significantly affect the local economic ecosystem,' he said. 'Consumers also need to be educated about the difference between legally approved vape products – cleared by the customs department and health ministry – and illegal imports.' Govt urged to restrict imported vape liquids Shahabudeen also called on the government to consider banning or imposing strict controls on imported vape liquids as a way of improving regulatory oversight. He said such a move would help ensure that only products that meet safety and quality standards are sold locally, reducing the risk of dangerous or prohibited substances entering the market. 'Restricting imports could also curb the influx of unregistered products and provide local manufacturers that comply with the regulations an opportunity to grow responsibly. 'This would be in line with the government's aim to strengthen enforcement and safeguard public health, especially with more young people taking up vaping,' he said.
Daily Express
12-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Move to ban vape causes confusion
Published on: Tuesday, May 13, 2025 Published on: Tue, May 13, 2025 By: Noor Zafira Zayn Text Size: Shahbudeen highlighted that the real issue the Government needs to address is the misuse of vape products, particularly the smuggling of illegal substances such as 'Vape Magic Mushroom' into Malaysia. Kota Kinabalu: The move by several state governments to impose a total ban on vape and electronic cigarettes has caused confusion among industry players and consumers alike. Concerns that such action diverts attention from systemic weaknesses and could instead fuel the growth of the black market for vape products. Nanostix Chief Executive Officer Shahbudeen Jalil said state-level bans should be thoroughly reviewed to prevent further confusion. 'The decisions made by some state governments have created uncertainty not only among industry players but also consumers in the country. On one hand, the Federal Government is calling for better regulation, while on the other, total bans are being enforced at the state level. 'This raises questions as it appears that the state governments are disregarding the legal frameworks and policies already established by the Federal Government,' he said in a statement. Shahbudeen highlighted that the real issue the Government needs to address is the misuse of vape products, particularly the smuggling of illegal substances such as 'Vape Magic Mushroom' into Malaysia. He pointed out that such illicit vape products are being openly sold on social media by irresponsible parties and are not associated with licensed local companies. 'Shifting the focus onto a law-abiding industry only distracts from the real flaws — not just in border enforcement but also at the local authority level. 'The vape industry exists not merely as a smoking alternative but has also contributed to the national economy and provided thousands of job opportunities. 'Banning vape sales will only open the floodgates for uncontrolled black market activities and smuggling, posing a far greater risk to society,' he added. Shahbudeen also urged the authorities to strengthen enforcement of existing laws and to tighten monitoring against the smuggling of harmful substances. 'It's important that control over raw materials is prioritised for local products to ensure user safety and quality. There should also be transparent engagement with the industry before any major decisions are made, as these could significantly affect the local economic ecosystem. 'Moreover, efforts must be made to raise awareness among consumers about the difference between legal vape products approved by the Customs and the Ministry of Health (MOH) and those brought in illegally,' he said. He further emphasised that the true focus should be on tackling smuggling and drug abuse, not punishing compliant local industries. 'This is the real root of the problem, smuggling and drug misuse, not the legitimate vape industry. 'We believe the future of this industry depends on a balance between effective regulation and support for local players, and we remain committed to collaborating with all stakeholders to ensure Malaysia's vape sector develops in a healthy, safe and responsible manner. 'Another proposal for authorities to consider is to restrict or entirely ban the import of vape liquids from abroad as a stricter control measure. 'This is important to ensure that only products meeting safety and quality standards reach local consumers and to reduce the risk of illegal or harmful substances entering the market,' he said. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
