A coalition of Malaysian vape associations, including the Malaysian Vape Chamber of Commerce (MVCC) and the Malaysia Retail Electronic Cigarette Association (MRECA), has strongly opposed the government’s consideration of a nationwide ban on vape sales. They argue that such a move would be a flawed policy, harming adult consumers and legitimate businesses while inadvertently strengthening the unregulated black market.
This unified response comes after Health Minister Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad announced that his ministry is studying a potential full ban on e-cigarettes, partly due to findings that vape products are being abused for the consumption of illegal drugs. However, industry leaders contend that prohibition is not a practical solution to misuse.
MVCC Secretary-General Ridhwan Rosli stated, “Let us be clear: it is not the legal industry that is responsible for any misuse of vape products. It is the illegal and unregulated market that continues to operate outside the scope of Act 852.” He warned that history shows consumers, when denied legal access, turn to the black market, exposing themselves to potentially dangerous products. He cited data showing that even when nicotine vapes were prohibited in Malaysia, usage remained significant, and state-level bans in Johor and Kelantan have not eliminated use. Similarly, Singapore’s full ban has seen vape usage increase.
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