A TOTAL ban on vape products is not the most effective solution to address public health concerns, according to Samsul Kamal Ariffin, President of the Malaysian Organisation of Vape Entities (MOVE). Instead, he advocates for stricter regulation and enforcement to safeguard consumers and the broader public.
Samsul highlighted that most vape users in Malaysia turn to the product as a less harmful alternative to conventional smoking.
“International studies, including those by Public Health England, show that vape is 95 per cent safer than traditional cigarettes,” Harian Metro cited him saying.
However, Samsul stressed that misuse of vape, particularly for intoxicating purposes, should be taken seriously.
“I would like to emphasise the need for government intervention in regulating the production, sale and use of vape products as soon as possible,” he added.
He noted that a growing concern stems from the inclusion of illicit substances such as THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), a psychoactive component derived from cannabis, being mixed into vape liquids — posing serious health risks and leading to hospitalisations.
“A full ban on vape will only fuel the black market, where untested and unsafe products become more accessible, ultimately worsening public health outcomes,” he warned.
Samsul also cautioned that state-level bans, as seen in several Malaysian states, risk being undermined by cross-border supply of vape products from jurisdictions where sales remain legal.
“This could defeat the purpose of such prohibitions. Moreover, the demand may shift towards illicit cigarettes due to the lack of viable alternatives,” he said.
Instead of rushing into outright bans, Samsul urged the government to focus on curbing abuse and implementing comprehensive regulation.
“With proper regulation, only approved vape products would be permitted on the market, protecting users, legitimate businesses and ensuring tax revenue for the government to support public health subsidies,” he said.
To date, Kelantan has banned the sale of vape products since 2015, followed by Johor in 2016. Terengganu and Perlis will implement bans effective 1 August this year, while Kedah plans to halt new licences by 2026.
Meanwhile, Selangor is in the midst of gathering stakeholder input before deciding on whether to implement a similar ban, according to Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
Currently, the sale of vape products in Malaysia is governed under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852), passed in Parliament last year. - June 4, 2025
