KUALA LUMPUR – The shocking incidence of electronic cigarettes and vape products being marketed towards children and young people has spurred a think tank focused on health and social care to demand that Parliament enacts the overdue legislation to control tobacco and smoking.
According to the Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy, the Health Ministry’s (MoH) statement lamenting the promotion of such products aimed at youngsters has highlighted the need to pass and put in force the Control of Tobacco Product and Smoking Bill 2022.
Its chief executive officer Azrul Mohd Khalib said it shows the futility and helplessness of health authorities in protecting vulnerable individuals when such laws remain unpassed by Parliament.
“Despite being an industry worth an estimated RM 2.3 billion and being the largest market in Southeast Asia, the marketing and sale of e-cigarettes and their products remain unregulated in Malaysia.
“4.9% of the population currently vape, and this percentage is rising by the day,” he said.
“As a consequence of the lack of legislation or regulation, nothing is able to prevent the manufacturing, marketing, and sale of vape products that are not only intentionally marketed to minors, but also contain excessive levels of nicotine,” he said.
According to him, in the United Kingdom, Europe, and even Ind