Most vape shops follow the law

PETALING JAYA: It has been a positive start since the Public Health Tobacco Control of Tobacco Products Control Act, 2024 (Act No. 852) came into force.

Smoking-related products previously found on e-commerce sites have been removed from the catalog, and vape stores are complying with the new law.

Search results for several vaporizer brands also show that the products are no longer available for purchase.

There is only one brand that sells products such as lanyards, tote bags, pens and stickers.

On another e-commerce site, smoking products are still available, but to view them, users must specify whether they are under 18 or over.

Persons under 18 years of age are not permitted to view photos and will be redirected to the home page if they continue to purchase.

READ ALSO: Full implementation of Act 852 after the end of the grace period

Nevertheless, there are unscrupulous people who find ways to camouflage vaping products on several e-commerce sites.

Instead of using the term vape, the phrases “perfume”, “makeup spray” and “deodorant” are used online. Product nozzles are also censored in photos.

Meanwhile, several physical vape shops in the Klang Valley have also started complying with the new regulations on product promotion, despite a six-month hiatus.

Inspections showed that some stores removed advertising materials and pasted posters restricting entry to the premises to persons under 18 years of age.

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“We have removed product banners outside the store ahead of the October 1 deadline.

“All our online transactions, both on e-commerce sites and through our hotline, have been declined because the buyer’s age cannot be verified,” said the operator, who wanted to be known as Aidil.

He said people manning the cash register would check the age of young buyers.

“If we are not sure, we will ask for their identification documents.

“There have been cases of students in plain clothes who wanted to buy vaping products, but we turned them away,” he added.

Another seller, Shafiq, also removed banners from his store before dawn in October, adding that school children were not allowed.

READ ALSO: Say “no” to further delays, appeal anti-tobacco supporters

“We tell them to leave the area immediately because we don’t want any trouble,” he said.

Another retailer, who declined to give his name, said education and awareness programs would be effective in stopping young people from taking up the habit of smoking or vaping.

Malaysian Vape Chamber of Commerce secretary-general Ridhwan Rosli pushed for clearer guidelines, saying the regulations impact retailers.

“This will disrupt business operations and severely impact sales. Moreover, the new nicotine concentration guidelines are not in line with consumer demand and products on shelves.

“Retailers have no idea how to manage existing inventory and have not been given time to adapt to these drastic changes,” he told The Star.

Disagreeing with the “current form” of the bill, Rosli said the Ministry of Health had not read their views on the legislation.

“We strongly urge the ministry to review Law No. 852 and reconsider the exhibition ban. This new law is simply impractical for the long-term viability of the industry.

“Retailers, especially small businesses, will face huge costs, whether that involves modifying fixtures or hiring additional staff to manage compliance,” he said.