The local vape industry players are up in arms over the punitive vape regulations that the Government will implement next month.
Recently the Ministry of Health (MoH) briefed the industry on the regulations that will be introduced in October 2024 under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852). Among the details shared include the implementation of a retail display ban in general stores as well as a limit on the volume of vape liquid sold – not exceeding 3 milliliters (ml) for pods, cartridges and disposables, and 15ml for bottles.
Datuk Adzwan Manas, President of the Malaysia Retail Electronic Cigarette Association (MRECA) said, “The industry was informed that the regulations will be gazetted and come into effect next month. This is not fair to us. The timeframe given is too short without any transition period for the industry to prepare. This will have a severe impact on the industry.”
While Ridhwan Rosli, Secretary General of the Malaysian Vape Chamber of Commerce said, “The retail display ban on products will have a significant impact on the industry, especially retailers who have to incur high costs to modify counters and product shelves to cover product from being seen.” He further adde that no country has introduced such a ban for vape products.”
The group argued the setting a volume on vape liquids of no more than 3ml for pods, cartridges and disposables, and no more than 15ml for bottles, to be implemented next month, is a drastic move. This is because at the recent MoH briefing, it was announced that all vape products that do not comply with these guidelines will be confiscated and disposed.
”The MoH is not giving enough time to all suppliers, manufacturers and entrepreneurs to finish their products. What about those who are still manufacturing products that may only be ready in another month or two, or manufacturers who have placed orders for raw materials?
“The industry has put a lot of effort into growing the local industry to a global level, and it is now valued at RM3.48 billion. Local manufacturers of vape liquid has played a vital role in driving the industry, with vape liquids from Malaysia in high demand all over the world the group said.…Read more by
