‘Missed the boat’?: Malaysia ready to reconsider total vape ban, but ‘lacks political will,’ say experts

4 days ago 55

Vapes for sale at a "pharmacy" stall in Larkin. (Photo: CNA/Zamzahuri Abas)

New: You can now listen to articles.

This audio is generated by an AI tool.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s relit interest in snuffing out vapes and electronic cigarettes through a total ban, despite admittedly having “missed the boat” in doing so, could be fraught with challenges, said analysts and industry stakeholders.

Responding to recent remarks by the country’s health minister of revisiting a possible nationwide ban, analysts told CNA that the lack of political resolve and strong opposition from multiple fronts could stand in the way. 

“While it is clear that there are many public health benefits from a ban on vapes and the necessity for it is clear, the lack of political will prevent it from happening,” said Azrul Mohd Khalib, chief executive of the Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy, a Kuala Lumpur-based research and advocacy organisation.

He cited potentially significant opposition from industry, economists, people and even within the government as the vape and e-cigarette industry in Malaysia is large and provides tax revenue, jobs and foreign trade. 

Instead, some stakeholders said that the country should now focus on the enforcement of the Act 852 legislation that regulates the sale of vapes among other t...

Read Entire Article