NON-PROFIT Malaysian Vape Industry Advocacy (MVIA) has requested the government to re-consider the implementation introduction of the Generation End Game (GEG) policy so as not to burden the vape industry with a punitive policy that can destroy the entire vape ecosystem.

Any “biased policy” would hinder growth prospect of the local vape industry, according to MVIA’s president Rizani Zakaria.

“The local vape industry has just started to be regulated through taxation. And now the GEG’s proposal is presented. This is like punishing the local vape industry,” he opined.

“This is a very one-sided and unfair policy to impose on the newly-regulated vape industry. Such a policy will certainly prevent any progress that has already been made or is being made.”

Rizani also stressed on the need to look at the issue from a more comprehensive angle because such negative impact will affect the entire industrial ecosystem including vape operators who are largely made up of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

“In fact, it will also prevent foreign and domestic investment from being made because the government is taking drastic measures,” he added.

Delving further on the matter, Rizani said the GEG policy proposal has received various opposition from beyond the industry players.

Earlier, more than one million Malaysians had signed a petition organised by Malaysia Voices to reject implementation of the GEG law which would ban individuals born after 2007 from using tobacco and vaping products forever even if they reach adulthood in the future.

This petition also shows that Malaysians do not agree with either the direct ban or full ban which it described as simply wanting to see the number of smokers decrease without looking at other problems that may arise afterwards.

“The government should take into account the views of the public and not just from anti-vape NGOs (non-governmental organsations). If a drastic decision is taken by eliminating an industry, this will spark adverse effects like smuggling, uncontrolled products, job losses as well as local industries incurring losses from having invested in the industry,” noted Rizani.

“Therefore, we hope the government can re-consider this matter. This GEG proposal is too drastic and should not be introduced.” - May 11, 2023

https://focusmalaysia.my/overly-drastic-geg-policy-will-be-a-bane-to-the-vape-industry/