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 local vape industry a clearer direction in moving forward.
This, he said, would facilitate the growth of local entrepreneurs and create more job opportunities for Malaysian citizens, ultimately contributing positively to the national economy.
“The future of the Malaysian vape industry, which is estimated to be valued at RM2 billion, and that of thousands of young local entrepreneurs and employees, is now in the hands of the Government as it considers 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 closer attention to the vape industry that has been awaiting the introduction of regulations since 2015.
“Currently, existing regulations for the sale and use of nicotine vape need to take into account the direction of the industry at large.
“Regulations imposed on nicotine vape are more stringent than cigarettes, which contain nicotine and have been proven to be much more dangerous,” he said.
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 tobacco cigarettes.
The study was supported by a number of leading physicians, overseas public health bodies and other national health agencies such as Canada and New Zealand. Developed countries are encouraging smokers to switch to vape to reduce health risks.
Yesterday, MEVTA and DPVM launched #vapeterkawal yesterday at a gathering of more than 20,000 consumers and industry players.
#vapeterkawal or #vapecontrol is a call to bring all stakeholders of the vape industry together and urge the government to introduce regulations in relation to the sale and use of nicotine vape in Malaysia.
Representatives from consumer organisations and vape industry chambers of commerce from neighbouring countries including China, South Korea, Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand also participated in the event.
The event also saw the industry launching #vapeterkawal petition, a nationwide petition to showcase the support from all stakeholders in persuading the government to quickly introduce regulations.
MEVTA and DPVM said they would both embark on a nationwide awareness campaign aimed at encouraging industry stakeholders to play a more proactive role in stopping underage smoking.