New vape law to take into account composition of e-liquid

The government says it will be compulsory for electronic cigarettes to be labelled with the composition of the vape juice.

PUTRAJAYA: The composition of the e-liquid or vape juice and its sale are among the aspects to be taken into account in the drafting of the law to regulate e-cigarettes or vaping.

Deputy Health Minister Dr Lee Boon Chye said this is to ensure that vape juice is not mixed with other chemicals, and its sale is restricted to adults.

“We want to ensure those 18 and below are not exposed to vaping, which eventually leads to addiction and moral decadence.

“Apart from that, it will be compulsory for electronic cigarettes to be labelled with the composition of the vape juice to ensure it is not mixed with harmful drugs,” he told Bernama.

Lee said that under the existing laws, there are two provisions that regulate the use of nicotine.

One is under the Poisons Act, where the prescription of nicotine should be done by medical practitioners registered with the ministry, and other parties are prohibited to sell nicotine.

He said the ministry is working with other ministries and agencies, including the domestic trade and consumer affairs, and finance ministries and the police, in drafting the regulation on vaping.

“As with tobacco cigarettes, we want to enforce the use of vape in open and closed areas such as in restaurants and public parks, as well as take into account its price and tax.

“We are still in the early stage. The draft has been sent to the Attorney-General’s Chambers and if everything goes well, the regulation is expected to be ready for tabling in Parliament next year,” he said.

Lee also said there was no evidence that a patient admitted to the Labuan Nucleus Hospital on Nov 8 was suffering from evali, a vaping-related lung disease caused by abuse of Vitamin E acetate and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products, which are drugs mixed in e-liquids.

“We are still investigating but so far, there is no indication that he has evali.

“In Malaysia, vape juice is not found to contain any harmful drugs other than nicotine, but the investigation is being carried out to prevent vape users from contracting the disease,” he said.

The disease is said to have caused 39 deaths involving vape users in the United States. - FMT