THE Malaysian vape industry has seen much growth over recent years, with a valuation of RM2.2 billion by the Malaysian Chamber of Commerce annually.
As the use of vape continues to rise, over 80 per cent of Malaysian ex-smokers have credited it as a method to kick the smoking habit, according to a survey commissioned by Malaysian Vape Industry Advocacy (MVIA).
In a roundtable discussion on the NST Insight Forum, international tobacco harm reduction expert Clive Bates shared his thoughts on using vape as a method to reduce the harm caused by tobacco.
TOBACCO HARM REDUCTION
With vast experience in the field of tobacco harm reduction, Bates has served as Director of Action on Smoking and Health (UK), campaigning on reducing the harms caused by tobacco.
He has also served as a special advisor to the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change, and worked in senior roles in the public sector and for the United Nations in Sudan.
"The toxic burden of vaping is much lower, so on that basis, we expect the health effects to be much lower," said Bates, whose views are highly sought after on ways to reduce harm caused by tobacco.
When it comes to reducing the negative impacts of smoking, Bates also said that vaping is about twice as effective as nicotine replacement therapy.
According to a review by Public Health England, a public health agency in the UK, it was concluded that vaping is at least 95 per cent less risky than smoking.
"The evidence on this is pretty clear. We have five sources of evidence that suggest vaping displaces smoking and helps people quit or stops them from starting in the first place," he said.
Using randomised controlled trials to show that vaping is about twice as effective as nicotine replacement therapy, the sources of evidence include observational studies, population data, market studies and testimonials.
In a nutshell, Bates explained that observational studies are where users were followed and seen using the vape equipment, while population data shows that an abnormally rapid decline in smoking was seen when vaping was introduced.
"We have market data where we see that cigarette sales fall when vaping sales rise. And finally, we have huge numbers of testimonies from users who say that when they used these products, they managed to quit smoking. Those are very persuasive," he continued.
HUGE POTENTIAL IN LOCAL VAPE INDUSTRY
Secretary-general of the Malaysian Vape Chamber of Commerce, Ridhwan Rosli, said the industry group has been actively working towards developing the local vape industry to be more competitive and structured as a whole.
It also champions the interest of the local vape industry, especially in calling for regulations for the vape industry.
The vape industry in Malaysia has grown quite rapidly over the years. In a recent study by the Malaysian Vape Chamber of Commerce that was published earlier this year, it stated that the Malaysian vape industry was valued at over RM2 billion.
It has 3,000 businesses directly related to the industry, with a workforce of more than 15,000 workers and reportedly more than RM450 million paid in wages.
VACUUM IN REGULATING THE INDUSTRY
Despite the growing use of vape, there is an apparent vacuum when it comes to the regulation of the vape industry in Malaysia.
"Not only would (regulations for vape) be great for the consumers, it is also good for businesses. That way, we could expand, get loans, grants and recognition. SMEs would be able to start growing it to a multibillion-ringgit industry," Ridhwan said.
Bates opines that there are two types of regulatory philosophies internationally.
The first type of regulatory framework is to protect the consumer by ensuring the electrical, physical, chemical and thermal safety of vape devices.
The second type of regulation would be designed to prevent people from using vape products.
"Now, that is laced with real danger. The danger is, if you make (vape) products more expensive, more difficult to access and less appealing, you basically clamp down on innovation," he stated.
With this, fewer people will make the switch from smoking to vaping, indirectly causing more individuals to pick up the smoking habit.
"So, I'm very much in favour of the first type of regulation," Bates continued. "But, the second type is fraught with danger and needs to be done really carefully."
TAXATION NEEDS CAREFUL CONSIDERATION
The Malaysian government has introduced taxes on vape devices and non-nicotine e-liquids. However, this does not include e-liquids that contain nicotine.
Pankaj Kumar, a renowned newspaper columnist and economist, said that the Malaysian government should impose the same taxation on nicotine-based vape liquids, comprising up to 97 per cent of the e-liquids in the market.
However, Bates cautioned that raising taxes on these products is likely to stimulate illicit trade, affecting public health in the long run. Combatting this will incur high enforcement costs.
"I don't think that taxes on vaping products are a good idea at all. We don't have them in the UK.
"The reason for this is economical because these products are substitutes. If you raise the price of vape products, you get more cigarette consumption. This increases cancer, heart disease, and all the other diseases that come along with smoking," he continued.
Nevertheless, Bates said that if the Malaysian government were to implement vape taxation, the risk proportionality should be considered, and that means a much lower tax burden on vape so that smokers should have a fiscal incentive to switch from smoking to vaping.
Watch the full discussion here: