PETALING JAYA: The government’s move to exempt nicotine in vape products from the poisons list has been lauded by the Vape Consumer Association of Malaysia (VCAM).
Its president Tengku Aslahuddin Ja’afar said, however, that the authorities must also come up with a proper regulatory framework for the business.
“While this is a move in the right direction, the government (should) follow through with proper regulations (to control) this multi-billion-ringgit industry,” he said in a statement on Monday (April 3).
“VCAM echoes the Malaysian Society of Harm Reduction (MSHR)’s recommendation on unregulated vaping goods, that it must... be addressed immediately.
“VCAM is also against the idea of underage smoking, which is an issue of enforcement,” he said.
Tengku Aslahuddin said the government must hold more discussions and studies on the generational end game (GEG) Bill to avoid treating vape products the same as cigarettes.
He suggested that the government establish an independent committee for recommendations on vape products before drafting and finalising the regulations.
“Vape should not be included in the GEG (which should) be used as a tobacco harm reduction tool, similar to implementations in New Zealand lately.
“When trying to consider harm reduction for vape products, the government should consider categorising them separately from cigarettes and other tobacco products,” Tengku Aslahuddin added.
Recently, the Health Ministry decided to remove nicotine-laced vape products from the poisons list to pave the way for regulations and taxation.
Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said thorough regulation of all nicotine products will be introduced in a new Bill that is set to be tabled in Parliament next month.
This move has caused an uproar among the health fraternity, with some saying it undermines public health.
Dr Zaliha said the new Bill, dubbed the “Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023”, would ensure regulation of nicotine liquids and gel in ecigarettes and vape products.
She also said nicotine liquid and gel were now taxable items under the purview of the Excise Act 1976.
