The Vape Consumer Association of Malaysia (VCAM) has reiterated its appeal to the government to exclude vape products from the proposed tobacco generational endgame (GEG) law. This comes after the Health Ministry’s decision to remove nicotine from the Poisons Act 1952 next month. The VCAM president, Tengku Aslahuddin Ja’afar Tengku Azlan, suggests that the government should follow New Zealand’s example, where vape products are utilized as a tobacco harm reduction tool.
Vaping as a Harm Reduction Tool
The New Zealand government’s ‘Quit Smoking’ campaign made headlines last year as it used vape products to encourage adult smokers to switch from conventional cigarettes to vaping. Tengku Aslahuddin believes that the Malaysian government should re-categorize vaping products differently from cigarettes and other tobacco products.
He stresses that harm reduction must be based on sufficient scientific data. Numerous independent studies from local and international research have shown that vaping has been proven to be less harmful than smoking conventional cigarettes and is effective in helping smokers quit.
The Government’s Stand
Health Minister Dr. Zaliha Mustafa stated yesterday that the bill aims to ensure comprehensive control over nicotine-laced products. The Ministry conducted an engagement session with stakeholders, including parliamentarians, non-governmental organizations, and professional bodies, to discuss the policies under the new bill, which includes GEG provisions.
Tengku Aslahuddin, however, insists that the government conduct more discussions and in-depth studies on the GEG provision. He proposes establishing an independent committee driven by science and evidence to recommend regulations on vape products before drafting and finalizing them. This will ensure that GEG’s objectives are communicated appropriately, and vaping products are treated separately from cigarettes and other tobacco products.
Proper Regulation and Taxation of Vaping Products
On the delisting of vape products from the Poisons Act, Tengku Aslahuddin says that the move requires proper regulation and taxation of vaping products. Although it is a step in the right direction, the government needs to follow through with proper regulations to lead this multi-billion ringgit industry.
Conclusion
The Malaysian government should take a cue from New Zealand and recognize vaping as a harm reduction tool. Based on scientific evidence, vaping has been proven to be less harmful than smoking conventional cigarettes and is an effective way to quit smoking. To prevent consumers from switching back to cigarettes, vaping products must be re-categorized separately from other tobacco products. The government should establish an independent committee driven by science and evidence to recommend regulations on vape products. This will ensure that the objectives of the GEG provisions are communicated correctly.
FAQs
Why does VCAM insist on re-categorizing vaping products separately from cigarettes and other tobacco products?
VCAM believes that harm reduction must be based on scientific data. Vaping products have been shown to be less harmful than conventional cigarettes, and thus, they should not be treated in the same category as tobacco products.
How can the government ensure comprehensive control over nicotine-laced products?
The government can establish an independent committee driven by science and evidence to recommend regulations on vape products before drafting and finalizing them.What is the harm reduction tool used by the New Zealand government?
The New Zealand government utilizes vaping products as a tobacco harm reduction tool to encourage smokers to switch from conventional cigarettes to vaping.**Why does the government need to follow through with proper regulations on vape products?
Although the delisting of vape products from the Poisons Act is a step in the right direction, proper regulations and taxation of vaping products are necessary to lead this multi-billion ringgit industry.What are the objectives of GEG
The objectives of the tobacco generational endgame (GEG) law are to reduce the number of smokers and prevent future generations from becoming smokers. However, treating vaping products in the same category as cigarettes and tobacco products could deter smokers from switching to vaping, which is an effective harm reduction tool. The government needs to conduct more discussions and in-depth studies on the GEG provision to avoid communicating the wrong objective.How can vaping help smokers kick the habit?
Multiple independent studies from local and international research have shown that vaping has been proven to be less harmful than smoking conventional cigarettes and is effective in helping smokers quit.What is the Vape Consumer Association of Malaysia (VCAM)?
The Vape Consumer Association of Malaysia (VCAM) is an association representing e-cigarette users in Malaysia. Their aim is to promote vaping as an alternative to smoking and advocate for fair regulations on vaping products.Why is proper regulation and taxation of vaping products necessary?
Proper regulation and taxation of vaping products are necessary to ensure consumer safety and prevent the sale of low-quality products. It also generates revenue for the government and legitimizes the industry.What is the significance of removing nicotine from the Poisons Act?
Removing nicotine from the Poisons Act allows for better regulation and control over nicotine-laced products. It also acknowledges the difference between vaping and smoking, where nicotine is not the only harmful substance in cigarettes.How can the government establish an independent committee driven by science and evidence?
The government can establish an independent committee comprising experts from various fields, such as medicine, science, and public health. The committee should have a transparent and evidence-based decision-making process and provide recommendations to the government on the regulation of vaping products.