Groups fume over govt condoning e-cigs, vape

 

The groups say the imposition of excise duty on electronic cigarette liquids indirectly condones such an unhealthy habit.

PETALING JAYA: A group of 35 NGOs, professional health bodies and civil society organisations are disappointed with the government’s decision to impose excise duty on vapes and electronic cigarettes, saying this indirectly condones the habit.

In a statement, the groups said the proposal in the 2022 budget to impose duty on nicotine-based gel or liquid products gave a clear signal that the government was allowing such products to be sold openly in Malaysia instead of banning them outright.

“We strongly object to the proposal. We are disappointed the government is allowing the sale of another addictive product which has been proven to be detrimental to the people’s physical and mental health,” they said in a joint statement today.

They said this decision also went against the warning by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2020 that electronic cigarettes had been scientifically proven to have negative effects on consumers.

“The government’s decision is also not in line with the decision by the National Fatwa Council in 2015 that deemed electronic cigarettes and vape were haram.

“As such, we urge the 220 MPs to demand that the finance minister reconsider this proposal, especially when Covid-19 has not subsided and the fact that studies have shown that those with the virus may experience worse complications by consuming such products.”

The groups also questioned the wisdom of health minister Khairy Jamaluddin on the matter, asking why he and the health authorities were allowing this to happen.

“We want the proposal to be withdrawn in order to save the country and the Malaysian Family,” they said. - FMT