Zafrul Tengku insists on maintaining high halal standards and refrains from entering into exclusive rare earth deals with the United States.
The Health Ministry of Malaysia is considering a total ban on the sale and use of vapes, a move that has sparked debate among industry stakeholders and public health advocates.
The Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024, or Act 852, was gazetted on February 2 and came into effect on October 1. The Act aims to reduce smoking habits among the public and restrict the sale of smoking products to minors through enforcement and ongoing public education. However, concerns have been raised about the potential impact of the ban on the vape industry and adult consumers who rely on vapes as a less harmful alternative to smoking.
Tarmizi Anuwar, country associate at the Consumer Choice Centre, stated that the ban won't eliminate demand, but rather eliminate safe access. He argued that a ban would likely push smokers back to cigarettes or into the black market, where product safety, labelling, and age restrictions are lacking.
Similarly, Ridhwan Rosli, secretary-general of the Malaysian Vape Chamber of Commerce, echoed those concerns, stating a total ban would make unregulated products more accessible, especially to minors. Ridhwan welcomed the government's move to set up an expert committee to review vaping policies but stressed that the legal industry must have a seat at the table.
Despite the prohibition of nicotine-based vape products in Malaysia, 4.9% of the population still use unregulated vape products, according to the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019. This suggests that a ban could drive demand for unregulated products, potentially exacerbating public health issues.
The vape industry in Malaysia was valued at RM3.48 billion in 2023 and supports around 7,500 retail shops, 2,500 specialty outlets, and employs more than 31,500 people. Vape industry players argue that a ban could harm adult consumers and drive demand underground.
In states such as Johor and Kelantan, where vape sales have been banned since 2015, usage remains high, with over 150,000 users in Johor and more than 30,000 in Kelantan. This suggests that localized economic and regulatory impacts may provide a glimpse of broader nationwide effects should a full ban be enacted.
The ban on vape products is under review by the Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad. Industry stakeholders, such as Malaysia Retail Electronic Cigarette Association president Datuk Adzwan Ab Manas, have called for balanced policies involving strict enforcement rather than outright bans to sustain economic activity while addressing health risks. Adzwan emphasized the need for stronger enforcement mechanisms, including stricter monitoring of online sales, proactive raids on unlicensed outlets, and harsher penalties for lawbreakers.
In Singapore, vape usage increased from 3.9% to 5.2% of the population between Q3 2021 and Q4 2023. This rise in vaping among adults underscores the need for careful consideration of potential policy impacts on public health and the economy.
In conclusion, the impact of banning vape products in Malaysia includes disruption of the legal vape industry leading to potential economic losses for licensed retailers, strong public health benefits aimed at reducing youth vaping, lung damage, and drug abuse linked to illicit substances in vape products, calls from the industry for balanced policy involving strict enforcement rather than outright bans to sustain economic activity while addressing health risks, and precedents from several states with existing bans suggesting a model for the broader national policy shift underway. The ban is a government response balancing public health priorities against the vape industry’s economic contribution, with enforcement and policy details still evolving.
- The government in Malaysia is contemplating a complete prohibition on the sale and use of vapes, prompting discussions among business stakeholders and health advocates.
- In light of this potential ban, concerns have come up regarding its possible implications for the vape industry and adult consumers who consider vapes as less harmful alternatives to smoking.
- Tarmizi Anuwar, a country associate at the Consumer Choice Centre, opined that the ban would only restrict safe access, potentially pushing people towards cigarettes or into the black market.
- Ridhwan Rosli, secretary-general of the Malaysian Vape Chamber of Commerce, expressed similar apprehensions, suggesting that a total ban could increase access to unregulated products, particularly for minors.
- Despite the prohibition of nicotine-based vape products, 4.9% of the Malaysian population still uses unregulated vape products, an indicator that a ban could foster demand for unregulated items.
- The vape industry in Malaysia has a significant financial impact, with a 2023 value of RM3.48 billion and support for approximately 7,500 retail shops, 2,500 specialty outlets, and over 31,500 employees.
- In states like Johor and Kelantan, where vape sales have been restricted since 2015, usage remains substantial, implying that localizedeconomic and regulatory impacts might foreshadow broader nationwide effects should a full ban be implemented.
