Regulate sale of nicotine vape, govt urged

KUALA LUMPUR: The government has been urged to regulate the vape industry in relation to the sale and use of nicotine vape.

Malaysia E-Vaporizers and Tobacco Alternative Association (MEVTA) president Rizani Zakaria said the move would provide the industry with a direction.

This, he said, would facilitate the growth of entrepreneurs and create job opportunities, contributing to the economy.

“The future of the vape industry, valued at RM2 billion, and that of thousands of young entrepreneurs and employees, is in the hands of the government as it mulls new laws and regulations for the industry,” he said in a joint statement issued with the Malaysian Vape Chamber of Commerce (DPVM).

DPVM president Syed Azaudin Syed Ahmad urged the government to pay attention to the vape industry that had been anticipating the introduction of regulations since 2015.

“Regulations for the sale and use of nicotine vape need to take into account the direction of the industry,” he said.

“Regulations imposed on nicotine vape are more stringent than cigarettes, which contain nicotine and have been proven to be more dangerous.”

A study conducted by Public Health England, a health agency in the United Kingdom, found that vaping is 95 per cent less harmful than smoking cigarettes.

The study was supported by a number of leading physicians, international public health bodies and the national health agencies of Canada and New Zealand.

Developed countries are encouraging smokers to switch to vape to reduce health risks.

Yesterday, MEVTA and DPVM launched #vapeterkawal or #vapecontrol at a gathering of more than 20,000 consumers and industry players.

Its purpose was to bring stakeholders of the vape industry together and to urge the government to introduce regulations in relation to the sale and use of nicotine vape.

Representatives from consumer organisations and vape industry chambers of commerce from China, South Korea, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand also participated.

The event saw the launch of #vapeterkawal, a nationwide petition to showcase the support of stakeholders in persuading the government to introduce regulations.

MEVTA and DPVM said they would embark on a nationwide awareness campaign aimed at encouraging industry stakeholders to play a more proactive role in curbing underage smoking.