KUALA LUMPUR: Four industry associations from the domestic vape industry submitted a memorandum today to urge the government to consider the future of Malaysia's vape industry when developing regulations.
This is following the Ministry of Health's (MoH) plan to introduce a new policy which will be tabled in the Parliament session in July 2022.
The four associations, namely the Malaysia Retail Electronic Cigarette Association (MRECA), Malaysian Vape Chamber of Commerce (MVCC), Malay Vape Traders Association (PPVM) and the Malaysian E-Vaporizers and Tobacco Alternative Association (MEVTA) represent more than 3,000 entrepreneurs and businesses and 15,000 employees from the manufacturing, distribution and retail sectors in the domestic vape industry.
The memorandum included views and concerns on the proposed policy, as the input and opinions from the vape industry were not taken into consideration by MoH.
MRECA president Datuk Adzwan Ab Manas said the MoH had held a few engagement sessions with the industry on vape regulations in
in recent months.
However, the views of the industry have not been given due consideration.
"As an association that represents the voice of local vape industry manufacturers, we believe our views are critical when developing regulations for this industry, as it involves the future of local players," he said in a statement today.
He added that traditional cigarettes and vape are two completely different products and that cigarettes are made from tobacco leaves, burnt, and emit toxic and harmful smoke.
"Vape, however, is a product that heats e-liquids to produce vapour consisting of vegetable glycerin (VG), propylene glycol (PG), flavours and nicotine.
"Vape users and the public should be exposed to the correct information that the harms from traditional cigarettes and vape are completely different. Therefore, regulations should also be different," he said.
Meanwhile, MEVTA president Mohamad Neezam Talib said the proposal to equate traditional cigarettes and vape, which will see the MoH implement a ban on the sale and use of vape for anyone born after 2005, will negatively impact local vape entrepreneurs and the entire vape ecosystem.
"This proposal will significantly impact local entrepreneurs and will slow down the vape industry in Malaysia.
"Any regulations introduced must take into account the future of the local vape industry, as well as the potential of the industry in taking over the tobacco industry as more and more smokers, are switching to vaping to quit," he said.
Additionally, PPVM president Sabri Ismail requested the government to coordinate the implementation of vape regulations amongst the relevant ministries.
He said, last year, the Ministry of Finance announced a taxation framework for vape e-liquids to take effect this year, while the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs introduced a law to implement SIRIM certification for vape devices to be enforced this year.
"Following this, the MoH will introduce regulations for vape products and the industry. The government should coordinate all planning, legislation and regulations related to vaping amongst the various departments and ministries.
"It should not be contradictory and different, as it will cause confusion," he said.
MVCC secretary-general Ridhwan Rosli said the industry also urges the government to outline a policy for investments in the industry.
"The government needs to streamline the import and export policies of vape products because currently, there is no policy on this matter.
"By strengthening the guidelines for trade policy, we will be able to attract domestic and foreign direct investments, which will lead to positive industry growth," he said.