Vape industry ‘in the dark’ over details of upcoming law

 

The Malaysian Vape Chambers of Commerce said the last discussion with the health ministry was held last year when Khairy Jamaluddin was the minister.

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Vape Chambers of Commerce (MVCC) says the sector’s players have been left in the dark by the health ministry regarding upcoming laws to regulate the vape industry.

Its secretary-general, Ridhwan Rosli, said they have no knowledge on the upcoming legislation and regulations, adding that it is critical for the government to obtain their input.

“The government wants to exempt vape liquid containing nicotine from the Poisons Act and also impose excise duty on the product. We support this move. However, the industry is taken by surprise as we have no knowledge nor the details of the law.

“There has been no discussion with the MoH on this matter,” he said in a statement.

Ridhwan recalled that the last discussion was held in mid-2022 with former health minister Khairy Jalamuddin.

He said it is important for industry players to be involved in the discussion before any recommendations on the bill are made.

This will ensure that Malaysia’s vape laws will be consistent with international practice and countries that are regulating the product.

“Since then, we have not had any discussion on the proposed laws with the new minister nor any officials from the ministry,” he said.

Ridhwan cited the Philippines as an example of proper vape regulation laws, praising it for a “thorough” process to introduce the regulations which was a culmination from numerous meetings with all stakeholders.

In a gazette notice published earlier this month, the health ministry said exemption from poisons control had been granted for nicotine liquids and gel used in e-cigarettes and vapourising (vape) products.

The exemption clears the way for over-the-counter sales of the two nicotine products as well as nicotine patches used to stop smoking. Without the exemption, products containing nicotine could only be obtained on prescription from doctors or pharmacies.

The Malaysian Council for Tobacco Control accused health minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa of using her ministerial powers to overrule the Poisons Board, which voted against exempting the substances from the Poisons Act. - FMT