12-05-2025
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.
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