Latest news with #SamsulArrifinKamal
Scoop
28-07-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Vaping Risks Overstated: CAPHRA Calls For Science, Not Scare Tactics
In response to the article published by The Sun Malaysia titled 'Many harmful chemicals found in vape liquids', CAPHRA welcomes continued scrutiny of all nicotine delivery systems. However, it is essential that reporting is balanced, evidence-based, and accurately contextualized. Firstly, identifying thousands of compounds in vape aerosols is not unexpected. Modern laboratory analysis can detect trace chemicals at parts-per-billion levels—many of which are not proven to be harmful at the concentrations used in legal, regulated nicotine e liquids. According to Samsul Arrifin Kamal, of MOVE Malaysia 'Presence does not equate to risk, and suggesting otherwise misrepresents scientific principles.' Critically, no credible study to date has shown that vaping is more harmful than smoking. In fact, leading independent reviews—including those by Public Health England and the UK Office for Health Improvement and Disparities—consistently conclude that vaping is significantly less harmful than combustible tobacco. Unlike cigarette smoke, which contains over 7,000 chemicals including dozens of known carcinogens, vape aerosols contain far fewer and at much lower levels. Concerns about metals and volatile compounds should be addressed through proper regulation, not fear. Poorly manufactured or illicit devices pose real risks—this is why Malaysia's reintroduction of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act (Act 852) was a necessary step. Enforcing product quality, ingredient transparency, and sales restrictions is the path forward. The public deserves clear, science-led communication. Overstating the dangers of vaping can have unintended consequences by discouraging adults who smoke from switching to safer alternatives, or pushing vapers back to combustible tobacco. Kamal further states, 'In short, vaping is not risk-free and should not be marketed to youth. But for adult smokers unable to quit nicotine entirely, switching to regulated vaping products remains a significantly less harmful choice.' We urge policymakers, the media, and the public to focus on proportional regulation, product safety enforcement, and honest harm communication.
Scoop
28-04-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Malaysia's Vape Policy Putting Public Health At Risk
The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) today urged Malaysian authorities to reject counterproductive bans on vaping and adopt risk-proportionate regulations, citing the World Health Organization's (WHO) persistent neglect of harm reduction strategies as a key driver of preventable smoking-related deaths. The call comes as Malaysia faces pressure to tighten vaping controls under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852), with state-level bans and stricter nicotine limits threatening progress. CAPHRA warns such measures risk replicating failed prohibition in Bhutan and South Africa, where bans fuelled illicit markets and health risks. Professor Dr. Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh emphasised: 'Enforcing stricter controls on high-risk products over safer alternatives is better than outright bans. Malaysia must differentiate between combustible cigarettes and harm reduction tools.' Echoing this, Samsul Arrifin Kamal of MOVE Malaysia stated: 'We firmly believe that an outright ban on vape products is counterproductive and could lead to unintended consequences, including the proliferation of black market activities. The solution lies in implementing stricter controls, risk proportionate regulations and robust enforcement mechanisms. By establishing clear guidelines for the production, sale and use of vape products, we can ensure consumer safety.' CAPHRA criticised the WHO's outdated stance, which ignores vaping's role in smoking cessation. Despite Malaysia's illicit tobacco trade dominating 55.3% of the market in 2023, WHO projects smoking rates will rise to 30% by 2025-contrasting sharply with Sweden's 5% rate achieved through harm reduction. 'The WHO's anti-harm reduction dogma costs lives,' said Nancy Loucas, CAPHRA Executive Coordinator. 'Malaysia must choose: follow failed prohibition or evidence. Sweden's success proves science trumps ideology.' While Act 852 introduced nicotine caps and health warnings, proposals to ban vaping in states like Selangor and Johor risk fragmenting policy. CAPHRA urges federal-state harmonisation to avoid undermining progress. With 68% of Malaysian ex-smokers crediting vaping for quitting combustibles, CAPHRA calls for expanding regulated access while pressuring the WHO to revise its stance. 'Malaysia can lead ASEAN by prioritising 5 million smokers' health over outdated rhetoric,' Loucas concluded.
