KUALA LUMPUR: 88 per cent of Malaysian vapers who used to smoke cigarettes have successfully quit smoking with the aid of vape, according to a survey commissioned by Malaysian Vape Industry Advocacy (MVIA).
The survey, conducted by market research company Green Zebras Sdn Bhd (GZSB) also found that 79 per cent, who currently vape and also smoke traditional cigarettes at the same time, have reduced smoking since taking up vape.
66 Per cent of current smokers will start vaping or continue to vape to quit smoking completely, the survey further showed.
These revelations came from the Malaysian Insights &Perspectives on Vape survey, an opinion poll commissioned by MVIA and carried out by GZSB.
MVIA president Rizani Zakaria said the results are in line with many international studies by established public health expects that have clearly
shown vaping as an effective tool to help smokers quit cigarette smoking and is a much less
harmful alternative.
The recent findings from Public Health England (PHE), a UK health agency for example, is a clear evidence that points to the effectiveness of vape products in successful smoking cessation, he said.
"These findings have driven many governments around the world to launch nationwide awareness campaigns to encourage smokers to quit by switching to vape.
"In the UK, the government has an annual Stoptober campaign in the month of October to urge smokers to
switch to vape. More recently, the New Zealand government also launched a QuitStrong campaign to do the same," he said in a statement today.
The survey also indicates that 56 per cent of Malaysians overall, or about 59 per cent, are saying that vaping has increased in the past few years and the top reason contributing to this is because vaping is perceived as less harmful than cigarette smoking.
Rizani said this is the key factor why many quit smoking and switch to vaping and PHE has cited that vaping is 95 per cent less harmful than smoking cigarettes.
PHE's findings have also been supported by numerous international public health agencies and experts, he said.
"There is a real need for the Malaysian government to recognise the benefits of vaping, especially the potential that it has to help smokers to quit cigarette smoking by switching to a less harmful product.
"As it stands, the vape products is still unregulated and we believe it is time for the government to look into introducing regulations on the products and adopt policies that would encourage smokers to switch to vaping that is less harmful," Rizani said.
With the objective of understanding Malaysian's perception on vaping, the Malaysian Insights & Perspectives on Vape survey delved into the opinions of the local population on the economic impact of vaping as well as their thoughts on vaping as a method to help smokers quit smoking.
This survey comprised of a sample size of 1,025 Malaysian adults and is reflective of the perception of all Malaysian adults nationwide.