TWO vape industry bodies have called on the Government to listen to the voices of industry by reviewing the Generation End Game (GEG) policy while pointing to a public petition on “Malaysia Bersuara” which has garnered over 600,000 signatures protesting the policy.

Initiated by one Badrul Badri on July 27 this year, the petition has amassed 622,133 signatories as at the time of writing. In rejecting the GEG entirely, the petition cites four key reasons:

• The GEG will create+ a generation of criminals;
• The GEG takes away an individual’s right to equality and freedom;
• The GEG fuels an illegal market; and
• The GEG does not differentiate between vape and cigarettes.

The Malaysian Vape Chamber of Commerce (MVCC) and Malaysian Vape Industry Advocacy (MVIA) have consistently called for the GEG to be carefully reviewed again as it will bring about huge impact to the industry.

“Since the GEG was first proposed early this year, many in the vape industry have shared their concerns as the impact of this policy on our industry will be significant,” MVCC secretary-general Ridhwan Rosli pointed out.

“Beyond affecting Bumiputera entrepreneurs, the GEG sets a very wrong and negative stance on vape which has been widely used as a tool for smoking cessation by smokers.”

That the petition that has so far garnered over 600,000 signatures lend credence that the Government and the Health Ministry (MOH) cannot ignore the voice of the public, according to Ridhwan.

His views were echoed by MVIA president Rizani Zakaria who noted that the association has attempted to engage with MOH and the Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC) but to no avail.

“We have also requested for meeting with the PSSC but our requests were ignored. Our submissions to the Health Minister and PSSC members have both fallen on deaf ears despite our many appeals,” he lamented.

“Now, with the petition garnering such attention, the voices of half a million Malaysians cannot be ignored. The MOH and PSSC must understand that this policy affects many layers of Malaysians.”

“They cannot continue listening only to anti-vape individuals and groups. The GEG impacts many layers of the Malaysian society, and therefore, should be studied and discussed with all parties before a decision is made,” added Rizani. – Sept 26, 2022

https://focusmalaysia.my/600000-malaysians-have-rejected-geg-via-malaysia-bersuara-petition/