Drastic vape regulations could ‘kill’ industry, say groups
Published on: Tuesday, July 23, 2024
By: FMT
The Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852), which may include plain packaging and a ban on displaying vape products, is expected to be enforced next month. (Tobacco Display Ban pic)
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Vape Chamber of Commerce (MVCC) says the government’s plans to introduce "overly prohibitive" vaping measures should be implemented in stages.
Earlier this month, health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad announced that regulations in the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) are expected to be enforced in August.
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These measures could entail implementing plain packaging and prohibiting the display of vape products.
MVCC secretary-general Ridhwan Rosli said such a move will "kill the industry" and threatens to destabilise the market.
"The industry, which currently employs 31,500 workers, including a significant portion of Bumiputeras, could see severe job losses and a decline in its economic footprint," he told FMT.
“To date, industry players have been left in the dark due to the lack of clarity from the government. How exactly will these regulations work?
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'If these regulations come into effect, no one in the industry will be prepared, and the costs, especially for retailers, could be substantial."
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According to MVCC’s Malaysian Vape Industry Research 2023, the vape industry was valued at RM3.48 billion last year, a 53% increase from the RM2.27 billion it was valued at in 2019.
Market research firm Grand View Research said the global vape market was valued at about US$12.41 billion (RM57.91 billion) in 2019 and is projected to grow to around US$182.84 billion (RM853.39 billion) by 2030 with a compound annual growth rate of 30.6%.
Ridhwan said the vape industry in Malaysia is a growing sector that offers job opportunities and has potential to attract foreign direct investment.
"Globally, multinational companies have already made substantial investments in the (vape) industry, driven by its growth potential and increasing global demand. With better regulations, Malaysia can fully capitalise on these FDI opportunities," he said.
Malaysia should proactively engage with industry players and get our input so that clear and better regulations (for the vape industry) can be established to fully capitalise on FDI opportunities.
Black market
Malaysian Vapers Alliance (MVA) president Khairil Azizi Khairuddin highlighted the potential of these regulations driving consumers towards the black market.
“Prohibitive measures often lead to an increase in unregulated and unsafe products, putting consumers at risk and undermining legitimate businesses. Hence, we urge the government and the health ministry to review these repercussions before implementing the ban," said Khairi.
Concerns were also raised about the impact of these regulations on youth.
Khairil stressed that vaping is not intended for non-smokers or youths. He said education, rather than prohibition, is key to addressing this issue.
"It’s essential to educate young people and non-smokers that vaping is a harm reduction tool meant for adult smokers. Prohibitive measures will not effectively prevent the youth from trying vape products; only education will," he said.
Reduce cigarette usage nationwide
Khairi stressed the importance of informed decision-making for adult consumers. “Accurate information is crucial for consumers to grasp the benefits and risks of vaping. Plain packaging poses a challenge for vapers as it obscures crucial details about the product, such as its contents and safety information.
"Educational campaigns and transparent information play a pivotal role in aiding adult smokers to quit traditional cigarettes," he said.
The Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2023 revealed that vaping has become crucial in helping smokers reduce or quit their habit.
In 2023, the smoking rate in the country decreased to 19% from 23% in 2011, while the prevalence of vaping rose to 5.8% from 0.8% during the same period. Vaping is now the second most favoured method among smokers seeking to quit smoking.
For Wan Natasha Atiqah Romzi, vaping has helped smokers like herself transition from traditional cigarettes.
"Quitting smoking is incredibly difficult and challenging. Consumers have the right to make informed choices about their health and lifestyle. Banning the display of vape products hinders their ability to make educated decisions," she said.
Adel Mikhael Abu Bakar, another former smoker, warned that the new regulations might backfire. He noted that the display ban and plain packaging could spark curiosity and drive more people to try vaping, rather than deterring them.
“For example, the display ban, if it’s implemented, might make it harder to spot youths or underage kids since the shop would likely be tinted. I think the display ban and plain packaging could be counterproductive. From my personal experience, I quit smoking years ago thanks to vaping. My life has improved significantly without the coughing," he said.
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