I LIVE near an international convention and exhibition centre at the southern part of the Klang Valley. The other day I noticed a billboard for an event at the venue. What caught my attention was that the event was only opened to those aged 18 and above.

Curious, I Googled up the event (which shall remained unnamed here), because as a parent, I am naturally wary of activities that are not kids-friendly happening in my backyard.

According to the event website, the event brought together “global industry elites to discuss the future direction of the new tobacco industry”.

That statement is loaded with jargon, but one just needs to visit the event’s official social media accounts to know that the event is a trade fair for the vaping industry.

Based on the postings on those social media accounts, it was a carnival-like event, complete with scantily-clad promoters, lucky draw prizes and vape giveaways.

Why is such an event even allowed to be held in Malaysia? As far as I know, conventional cigarette companies are not even allowed to promote their products openly.

If so, why are vaping companies allowed to hold a glitzy expo promoting competing brands as though they are smartphones?

Why the double standards between conventional cigarettes and vape devices? Doesn’t vaping now come under stricter regulations now that the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) has been gazetted?

In fact, in June this year, the government was said to be considering banning the display of vape products at retail outlets (while the motivations for the ban are noble, the ban on cigarettes and vape should be done in stages, after ample awareness campaigns are carried out).

But given that is the direction, why is the government even allowing an expo on vaping products to be held right under its nose? Why are free giveaways of vaping products even allowed?

As we know, vape liquids are not well regulated in Malaysia despite Act 852 coming into effect. Many pose health risks to users, especially products with dubious origins.

This is unlike heated tobacco products which have been scientifically proven to be an effective way to cut smoking dependency in a healthy manner.

I think the government needs to relook at the vaping event held over the weekend. If it was held without any official sanctions, stern action needs to be taken against the brazen organisers.

But if there was a legal loophole which allowed the event to be held, the relevant laws and regulations need to be tightened.

At the end of the day, we cannot allow easy access of vaping products to Malaysians, especially not in such a glitzy setting. We cannot compromise our nation’s health for profits. - Sept 11, 2024

Loh Kim Seng
Serdang, Selangor 

https://focusmalaysia.my/cloud-of-concern-why-did-the-govt-allow-a-glitzy-vaping-trade-fair-to-take-place/