PETALING JAYA: The targeted ban on vape products by the middle of next year could fuel the black market and affect the livelihoods of up to 30,000 workers in the industry, say stakeholders.
Malaysia Organisation of Vape Entity president Samsul Kamal Arriffin said there are about 2,400 shops across the country selling vapes, excluding products sold in grocery stores.
“If banned, it is going to affect about 20,000 to 30,000 workers,” said Samsul.
Instead of banning vape completely, he said the government should regulate it according to models used by other governments, such as the United Kingdom.
He said the prevalence of tobacco smoking in the United Kingdom has been reduced following the regulation of vape products.
Samsul added that the complete ban on the sale of vape products could give rise to a black market selling such products.
“In Australia, now that it’s banned, the black market there is rampant.”
He noted that regulating smoking products under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) would mean safer smoking products for the masses.
Samsul urged the government to implement strict guidelines for the sale of approved smoking products.
“We don’t want anyone to just brew vaping liquids and sell it. We want guidelines so that products are tested before they are sold.
“Eventually, not many people will be able to comply with this and there will only be a few players, and that is fine,” he said.
On Thursday, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the government remains committed in its effort to ban vape products by mid-2026, adding that it will be carried out in phases.
Meanwhile, Malaysia E-Vaporisers and Tobacco Alternative Association president Mohamad Neezam Talib said many of his members have submitted applications to the Health Ministry to register their vape products.
“So, we are asking the Health Ministry to reduce the duration in approving products, such as finalising it in 14 days.
“How are we going to do business on Oct 1 if we don’t have enough stock?” he said.
Act 852, enacted on Feb 2, 2024, provides comprehensive regulation of tobacco and vaping products, including registration, sale, packaging and labelling.
In June, it was reported that the Health Ministry is assessing applications for the registration of smoking products, including vape, under Act 852.
Health Ministry disease control division senior principal assistant director Dr Hairul Nizam Abd Hamid said the registration window closed in April this year.
The evaluation phase and approvals are expected to be finalised by Oct 1 this year.
