A LOCAL advocacy group has expressed concern about the potential impact of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) on the vaping community.

The Malaysian Vapers Alliance (MVA) said with Act 852 currently in its final review at the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC), lawmakers should consider the consequences of overly stringent regulation on vapers, especially ex-smokers who have quit smoking by switching to vaping.

Emphasising the importance of separate regulations between vape and tobacco products to prevent a regression in public health outcomes, MVA president Khairil Azizi Khairuddin said classifying vaping products in the same category as cigarettes under the new regulations could drive these ex-smokers back to smoking cigarettes.

“Harsh regulations that fail to distinguish between vaping and smoking, like banning the display of vape products, could see many vapers, who have successfully quit smoking traditional tobacco, to revert to their old habits,” he warned.

“Such a shift not only jeopardises their health but also reverses nationwide progress in reducing smoking prevalence in Malaysia.

“We urge the government to adopt a balanced approach that recognises the harm reduction potential of vape and provide a supportive environment for vapers to stay off tobacco.”

A survey conducted by MVA last year revealed 73.7% of vapers in Malaysia are former smokers.

The MVA survey also revealed that the majority of vapers (80.1%) switched to vape as it helped them quit smoking.

The implementation of harsh regulations that do not consider these facts could undermine the progress of reducing smoking rates in the country.

“MVA calls on the Health Ministry (MOH) to ensure that the final version of Act 852 includes sensible regulations that support harm reduction and do not classify vaping products the same as cigarettes,” Khairil added.

“We believe that informed and balanced regulation can protect public health while ensuring that vapers do not revert to smoking.”

On Aug 1, Sinar Harian reported that the government had further delayed the enforcement of Act 852 after several false starts.

The Malay daily reported Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad as telling reporters in Gua Musang, Kelantan, today that the MOH “hopes to be able to implement the Act by year end.”

He was quoted as saying that the proposed regulations under the Act - which cover registration, sale, packaging and labelling of smoking products that include conventional and electronic cigarettes, as well as orders like smoke-free places - are currently at the “final stage” at the AGC. - Aug 8, 2024 

https://focusmalaysia.my/tough-regulations-will-push-vapers-back-to-tobacco-warns-group/