KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Vapers Alliance (MVA) has called on the government to differentiate vape from traditional cigarettes and develop a separate set of regulations for what they believe is a safer alternative to smoking.
According to MVA, 90% of Malaysian vape users who responded to its survey support the government’s decision to introduce vape regulations in Malaysia, which are separate from those governing traditional cigarettes.
“This is because 84% of vape users believe vape to be a less harmful alternative to traditional cigarettes,” said MVA president Khairil Azizi Khairuddin in a statement today.
He said the government continues to group vape products with traditional cigarettes despite vast evidence to show that vaping is less harmful than smoking, although it still comes with its own risks.
“These products could not be any more different from one another, and our survey proves that the vaping community in Malaysia is in agreement.
“Vape has already changed the lives of millions of smokers for the better globally and locally, and we can continue this traction if regulators develop a framework that is differentiated and evidence based,” Khairil said.
Recently, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin announced that the government intends to outlaw smoking by making the sale of tobacco products, including vape, illegal for those born after 2005.
Khairil called for regulations to be balanced between ensuring vaping products can be easily acquired by smokers who wish to switch to a less harmful alternative and the products not being marketed or sold to young people.
Research done by MVA revealed that 85% of vape users will resort to the purchase of unregulated vape liquids if their nicotine levels are lower than 40mg to 50mg, he cautioned.
“This is not ideal, as unregulated vape liquids are not bound to any levels of quality and safety standards,” he said.
“In addition to creating a black market for vape products, such a situation may also be detrimental to the safety of vape consumers if they opt for unregulated products.” – The Vibes, February 21, 2022
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