KUALA LUMPUR: Prices for nicotine-laced products including vape and pods have increased for a maximum of RM8 following its removal from the list of poisons in the Poisons Act 1952.
A banker, Ally Azman, 36, who decided to quit smoking cigarettes three years ago said the prices of pods – a type of vape device – have increased in the past few days.
"A pack of cigarettes cost me RM17.40 a pack so since I turned to vaping, I could save about RM300 per month.
"I buy pods online so normally it is around RM35 to RM40 a box. But the price has increased by RM5 to RM8 since about two days ago, when it was rumored that vape will soon be taxed," said the kindergarten teacher.
Another vape smoker, S. Sujatha, 52, also expressed her disappointment over the increased prices of vape products.
"I am quite upset because the RM5 increase in price was a bit too sudden.
"There should be a 'transition' period at least until shops have emptied their old stocks," she said.
A hardcore traditional cigarette smoker, Tiffany Lee, 48, however, was delighted with the news, saying that vape smokers would soon be placed nder similar regulations.
"Now you see people vaping in toilets, air conditioned areas, while we smokers are forced to smoke at designated areas, usually under the sun.
"We pay premium prices, yet we get second class treatment, so now it is a fair game," said the business owner.
It was reported today that the Health Ministry has approved the amendment to the Poisons Act 1952, to remove nicotine from the list of poisons.
This was to pave the way for the legalisation of nicotine-laced products to allow for it to be taxed.