Regulations on e-cigarettes and vaping are urgently needed, says MMA

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has called on the government to speed up the announcement of regulations on e-cigarettes and vape products.

Its president, Dr. Azizan Abdul Aziz, said the delay resulted in serious public health risks and the vaping industry exploiting regulatory loopholes.

“We learned that the draft regulations were ready late last year, but there has been no news about it since then. The government must explain the reasons for this delay,” he said in a statement.

He said concerns were raised by 111 reported cases of exposure to questionable vaping liquids from 2015 to last year, including cases involving minors, revealed in parliament.

Dr Azizan said the growing number of mobile vaporizer kiosks near educational institutions is a serious problem.

“These kiosks not only sell vaping products, but also promote vaping as a lifestyle among young people, leading to early nicotine addiction and the normalization of vaping.”

“The aggressive marketing of vaping as something trendy and desirable is deeply concerning because it can lead to long-term addiction, especially among impressionable youth,” he added.

He further stated that the removal of nicotine from the Poisons Act without subsequent regulations was considered irresponsible, adding that the decision appeared to favour commercial interests over public health.

The Global Tobacco Industry Disruption Index 2023 highlights the continued influence of the tobacco and vape industry in policymaking in Malaysia, often under the guise of economic gain.

“The industry’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities serve to build a positive public image and gain support from communities and policymakers, despite the harmful nature of their products?” – Dr. Azizan noted.

Dr Azizan also warns that the increase in e-cigarette use among young people could hamper future treatment of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), putting a strain on the healthcare system.

“Early nicotine addiction not only poses serious health risks but also requires intensive behavioural treatment,” he said, while appealing to MPs to prioritise the health of young people and put pressure on the government to act quickly.