Category: Malaysia

Malaysia’s long-time ban on the sale of vaping products is set to end, saving thousands of lives every year, says leading local advocacy group MOVE (Malaysian Organization of Vape Entities).

Taking effect on 3 August, the regulation of vaping devices precedes the imminent legalization of vape sales. It follows years of campaigning by MOVE and other Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) supporters.

The Malaysian Government has now moved to gazette the Trade Descriptions (Certification and Marking) of Electronic Cigarette Devices Order 2022 under the Trade Descriptions Act 2011. Manufacturers and importers will need to ensure all devices are certified and labelled to show consumers that safety standards have been met and the products are safe to use. All e-liquids will need to be registered.

“This is historic news after a long-fought battle. It paves the way for a legalized market and safer products. Regulating vaping products, restricting sales to adults, and applying significant penalties to any breaches will help many more Malaysian smokers to quit deadly cigarettes,” says Samsul Kamal Ariffin, President of MOVE.

Mr Ariffin says in recent months there have been frustrating parliamentary delays in progressing the Tobacco & Smoking Control Bill – not helped by the pending general election. However, with the safety standards now gazetted, it sets in train the legalization of vapes sales.

“Regulating, not banning, vaping will not only save smokers lives it will generate much needed tax revenue for our country which is desperately needed post pandemic.

“This is not only good news for smokers and their loved ones, but every Malaysian will benefit from the extra revenue gained from vape manufacturing, importing and sales. Up until now it has been a black market with unapproved products not contributing tax and with no safety assurances,” he says.

MOVE pays tribute to the leadership of Malaysia’s Health Minister YB Khairy Jamaluddin who championed the Government’s decision to regulate the vape industry.

“The Government has done well in preparing the legislation and regulation of products deemed 95% less harmful than combustible tobacco. It fully understands that making safer nicotine products legally accessible is the only way to seriously reduce Malaysia’s unnecessarily high smoking rates,” says Mr Ariffin.

CAPHRA (Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates) agrees that Malaysia’s leadership on vaping will see the country’s smoking rates will dramatically fall.

“Malaysia will join 67 other progressive countries worldwide which have adopted regulatory frameworks on safer nicotine products. Importantly, all of them have subsequently registered a dramatic decline in smoking,” says Nancy Loucas, Executive Coordinator of CAPHRA.

CAPHRA says effective advocacy from Malaysian consumer groups was key to the Government’s decision last year to legalise liquid nicotine and move forward with regulation.

“We’re particularly proud of our member organisation MOVE and Samsul’s tireless advocacy over many years. The 3^rd of August is worthy of a big celebration and will be well noted across the Asia Pacific region. Vaping bans fail badly – as Australia is discovering the hard way,” says Ms Loucas.

Legislation to regulate vaping in Malaysia is pending parliamentary approval but frustratingly will now be delayed due to political instability and election campaigning,” says Samsul Kamal Ariffin, President of MOVE (Malaysian Organization of Vape Entities).

“Malaysia’s Health Minister YB Khairy Jamaluddin’s decision to regulate the vape industry is forward looking and highly commendable. Things were looking good but unfortunately the speed at which this bill will be approved is now directly related to what’s going on politically in Malaysia,” says Mr Ariffin.

The President of MOVE and member of CAPHRA says the elections are proving a key distraction to Malaysia strictly regulating the safety and sale of vaping products.

“We are very disappointed that MPs are absent from Parliament, busy campaigning for state level elections. What’s more, the vaping legislation will be further delayed if the general election gets scheduled for May this year,” he says.

Earlier this year Malaysian vape advocates and users applauded the Ministry of Health’s efforts as it moved to prepare the legislation to progress through Parliament. Now commentators are concerned that delays to the Tobacco & Smoking Control Bill could see Malaysia lose an estimated RM 1 billion in tax revenue.

Mr Ariffin says despite disappointing delays, advocates for a Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) approach are keeping their eyes on the prize. They are desperate to see the end of Malaysia’s sales ban on vaping products which has kept the country’s smoking rates unnecessarily high.

CAPHRA (Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates) says all eyes are on Malaysia. The high-profile regional advocacy group remains confident the legislation will pass and Malaysia’s smoking rates will dramatically fall.

“The Philippines vaping legalisation is just awaiting presidential approval, and even Thailand is actively investigating ways to lift its failed vaping ban. We have every confidence in Malaysia doing the right thing once the elections have passed,” says Nancy Loucas, Executive Coordinator of CAPHRA.

“Malaysia’s leaders know that 67 countries worldwide have now adopted regulatory frameworks on safer nicotine products and subsequently all have registered a dramatic decline in smoking. That’s a powerful proposition given smoking is rife in Malaysia and needlessly killing thousands of good people every year,” she says.

CAPHRA says considerable and effective advocacy from local consumer groups in recent years was key to the Malaysian Government’s decision last year to legalise liquid nicotine and move forward with regulation.

“When Malaysia legislates and regulates vaping it will send a big message to the world. Malaysia’s Health Minister has shown incredible leadership to date. We now await support from his parliamentary colleagues. Together they’ll save the lives of countless Malaysian smokers. What an incredible legacy that will be,” says Nancy Loucas.

A global collaboration of THR consumer groups, sCOPe, has launched a comprehensive library of online panel discussions and presentations. In November 2021, sCOPe broadcast around the clock during COP9 – the 9th Conference of Parties for the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). To access sCOPe’s online library visit, https://bit.ly/319zzkx

Boasting over 14,000 testimonials, CAPHRA is calling on those who’ve quit cigarettes through smoke-free nicotine alternatives to tell their story onwww.righttovape.org

For a free digital media repository on tobacco harm reduction in Asia Pacific – including media releases, images and graphics – please visithttps://apthrmedia.org

Malaysia’s Ministry of Health is making good progress, with its imminent legislation to regulate vaping globally important, says the Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA).

CAPHRA says considerable and effective advocacy from local consumer groups over recent years was key to the Government’s decision last year to legalise liquid nicotine and move forward with regulation.

Malaysian vape advocates and users also applaud the Ministry of Health’s efforts as it now prepares the new act to strictly regulate the safety and sale of vaping products.

“High product standards are critical, ensuring all vaping products sold in the open market have guaranteed safety. We also support the regulation of all online sales and advertising in line with tobacco products to protect our youth,” says Samsul Kamal Ariffin, President of MOVE (Malaysian Organization of Vape Entities) and CAPHRA member.

He says regulating vape liquids and lifting the sales ban will see Malaysia’s smoking rate fall considerably. Giving smokers much better access to harm reduced products will reduce the serious health risks and unnecessary deaths associated with combustible tobacco.

“I am proud that the Malaysian Government has pushed back on the World Health Organization’s anti-vaping agenda. As an ex-smoker, vaping has improved my health and arguably saved my life yet the WHO has pressured countries like mine to ban it. Thankfully our Government and Ministry of Health have instead listened to the many citizens like me who’ve had considerable success with vaping,” says Mr Ariffin.

Malaysia is one of the largest vape markets in the world despite nicotine long being illegal to sell except for medical purposes. With progressive vaping legislation set to be enacted and risk-proportionate regulation imminent, MOVE believes the country’s public health and international reputation will only strengthen.

Nancy Loucas, Executive Coordinator of CAPHRA, says MOVE and other Malaysian vaping advocates have worked tirelessly with the Government and health officials to shift vaping from a heavily restricted medicalised product to being a more accessible option for smokers keen to quit.

“Despite its incredible effectiveness in reducing smoking rates and deaths, many countries in Asia-Pacific still insist on banning vaping. Malaysia’s pending legislation and regulation will send a big message to the world that vaping is the future not a foe,” says Nancy Loucas.

A new global collaboration of THR consumer groups, sCOPe, has now launched a comprehensive library of online panel discussions and presentations. In November, sCOPe broadcast around the clock during COP9 – the 9th Conference of Parties for the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). To access sCOPe’s online library visit, https://bit.ly/319zzkx

Boasting over 14,000 testimonials, CAPHRA is calling on those who’ve quit cigarettes through smoke-free nicotine alternatives to tell their story on www.righttovape.org

For a free digital media repository on tobacco harm reduction in Asia Pacific – including media releases, images and graphics – please visit https://apthrmedia.org

After previous reports that Malaysia will impose excise taxes on e-cigarettes and tobacco products, the Malaysian Electronic Cigarette Chamber of Commerce (MVCC) recently called on its national government to regulate the industry. “Our data shows that the e-cigarette industry is a viable and growing industry in Malaysia. To make a significant contribution to the local economy. MVCC President Syed Azaudin Syed Ahmad said: “It has promoted the growth of local businesses, many of which are local businesses. He added that the industry operates in “a mature ecosystem of manufacturers, importers, and retailers, and a growing distribution and logistics network.”

The latest data from the Malaysian Ministry of Health show that there are 2 million e-cigarette users in Malaysia.

The racial characteristics of e-cigarette users reflect the ethnic composition of the nation. According to the information provided by MVCC, Malays accounted for 70%, Chinese accounted for 25%, Indians and other races accounted for 5%.

94% of e-cigarette users also have a history of smoking. The MVCC also cited the highly acclaimed information from the Department of Public Health of the United Kingdom, which showed that e-cigarettes are 95% safer than traditional cigarettes and demonstrate the necessary publicity for Malaysians who choose to use these products as non-imported products for health benefits.

“Malaysia’s e-cigarette industry has huge potential that can be released through practice and comprehensive regulations, which must include the use of e-liquid with nicotine. This will stimulate the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises, which in turn will create jobs for the government and generate taxes. “In the same statement, Syed Azaudin said.

A Malaysian politician has apologized for vaping inside during parliamentary proceedings after a video of his brazen vape-sesh made the rounds on social media.

In the video, said to have been taken during a parliamentary session on Monday, August 3, Malaysia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Hishammuddin Hussein can be seen sliding a vape pen underneath his mask before blowing the vapor out.

The video has been retweeted more than 11,000 times as of Friday afternoon local time.

On Thursday, August 5, Hishammuddin responded to the video, saying that he had made a mistake.

“Sorry, I didn’t realize – it’s a new habit,” he tweeted. “I apologize to the Dewan (House of Representatives) and promise to not do it again.”

Sorry, I didn't realise – it's a new habit. I apologise to the Dewan and promise to not do it again 😔 https://t.co/2BdUl6D9K2

— Hishammuddin Hussein 🇲🇾 (@HishammuddinH2O) August 6, 2020

According to the New Straits Times, it is prohibited to smoke within 300 meters (980 feet) of the Malaysian parliament complex. Those found breaking the law face a spot fine of 500 Malaysian ringgit ($118), with a maximum fine of up to 10,000 Malaysian ringgit ($2,300) or up to two months in jail.

In a follow-up tweet, Hishammuddin said that he has been fined by the health ministry. He did not disclose the exact penalty.

“No one should be above the rules,” he said.

Yes, it was a mistake and I admitted it. I have always maintained that no one should be above the rules. @KKMPutrajaya has compounded me, and I will pay the fine. https://t.co/W2KZ5FMF3f

— Hishammuddin Hussein 🇲🇾 (@HishammuddinH2O) August 6, 2020

According to the New Strait Times, a member of the Malaysian parliament was previously issued a fine for smoking in the government building in October 2018.

Malaysia once considered a total vape ban in the country following U.S. media reports of fatalities linked to e-cigarettes and vaping. Tobacco products in the country are heavily regulated and smoking is strictly prohibited in restaurants.

The sale of vaporizer liquids containing nicotine has been banned in Malaysia since 2015.

According to the South China Morning Post, nearly a quarter of Malaysia’s population smokes cigarettes.

MIVAS 2020, aka Malaysia International Vape Summit, will be postponed. And the new holding date is pending now.

This vape show was set to be held in Prince’s World Trade Center, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and its holding date were set on Saturday, 28th March to Sunday, 29th March 2020.

At this stage, due to the serious epidemic problem in China, and the number of exhibitors in China is nearly 50% (half of the exhibition). After the China manager Beijing Landmark Exhibition’s discussion with the organizers in Malaysia, the organizer extended their support to China’s e-cigarette enterprises, and decided to postpone the exhibition. The new date is scheduled to be between June and July. And the specific time is not determined yet.

Malaysia market overview – Pod vape goes popular

In the era of electronic cigarettes, Malaysia used to be the main exporter of vape oil. It has won the favor of Asia Pacific region and some European and American markets with mixed fruit and cool taste.

Because the popularity of pod products has changed the structure and market of electronic cigarette industry, what changes have taken place in the Malaysian market in the era of “pod vapes”?

A practitioner of China’s e-cigarette industry once visited Malaysia to share their views.

The users of e-cigarettes in Malaysia are mainly composed of young people and quit smoking groups. There are two types of online e-commerce and offline stores.

Different from the domestic market, there are many physical stores in Malaysia. The electronic cigarette products have strong flavor. Because users can experience the performance and taste of products in physical stores, physical stores are very popular.

The Malaysian market is also transforming. The number of users using large mod vape products is decreasing. On the contrary, pod vape device has become the mainstream of the market, and continues to grow. Electronic cigarettes are everywhere in Malaysia. Market stalls selling vegetables, young people selling fruits on the roadside, grap drivers, couriers, hotel gatekeepers, restaurant diners… You can see e-cigarette users are everywhere.

The main reason why young users (over 20 years old) in Malaysia use e-cigarettes is that they are “new” and “cool”, while middle-aged users mainly want to quit smoking. The taste of e-cigarettes is not as bad as cigarettes. The puff in the room will dissipate soon and will not affect other people.

Generally speaking, consumers are more inclined to buy pod vape devices through online shopping. Therefore, the most important benchmark for success in the Malaysian market is the user experience and repurchase rate.

Reinvent future

MIVAS 2020 will be the third grand event in Malaysia since 2018.

First MIVAS was held in Kuala Lumpur Crown Prince World Trade Center in September 2018. There will be about 100 exhibitors from both local and international. MIVAS received over 78000 registered visitors around the world and it’s a huge success.

As for MIVAS 2019, it was last held at the same location in March 2019. It’s bigger than before, there were more than 150 exhibitors from local and international, and more than 120000 registered visitors all over the world.