Vape retailers are calling on the government to focus on the abuse of unregistered vape products not regulated by the health ministry, which they say is the real issue affecting the sector, rather than the legal sale of vape products.
Malaysian Retail Electronic Cigarette Association (MRECA) president Adzwan Manas said the decision by several states to ban the sale of vape was misguided and potentially counterproductive as it could lead to a surge in illegal products entering the black market.
“The ban is unjustified because vape products sold at licensed premises do not contain drugs. Drug-laced products are not available at registered vape shops – they’re found on the black market,” Adzwan told FMT.
“The issue of drug abuse stems from unregulated vape products, not those monitored by the health ministry. People with drug-laced vapes are getting them from the black market.”
Deputy inspector-general of police Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said last month that 65% of vape samples tested contained banned substances, including methamphetamine and ecstasy.
He said that state governments had the right to ban vape sales, citing a growing trend of vape being misused to deliver new synthetic drugs.
He also urged all parties to work together to combat the issue, saying vape devices could be easily modified to include harmful substances.
Johor and Kelantan have banned vape sales since 2016 and 2015 respectively.
Terengganu and Perlis will enforce similar bans starting Aug 1, while Selangor, Penang, Negeri Sembilan, and Melaka are still reviewing the proposal.
Kedah has decided against a full ban but will no longer renew vape business licences after December.
Adzwan said that banning the legal sale of vape products was not the right solution to the underlying problem, arguing that education, enforcement, and collaboration would be more effective.
“MRECA has reported the open sale of drugs on online platforms to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, but such advertisements continue to flourish.
“Regulation would be much easier if the authorities had data on all retailers. If there’s credible evidence of sales to minors or other violations, licences can then be revoked,” he said.
Adzwan also urged state governments to reconsider their bans, which he said went against the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024.
He said the act was intended to establish a comprehensive and effective regulatory framework for vape products, not to enforce a blanket ban.
