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November 03, 2021 by malaymail.com

Cigarette makers British American Tobacco (BAT) have lauded the policies in Budget 2022, particularly the government’s intention to tax and effectively recognise nicotine vapour, or vapes.

BAT managing director Nedal Salem commended the introduction of the excise duty for vape products containing nicotine, saying it was a right move towards tobacco harm reduction in Malaysia.

“Regulation will not only allow vape users access to reduced-risk alternatives to smoking, but also ensure the products used are compliant to quality and safety standards,” Salem wrote in a statement [...]

October 15, 2021 by thestar.com.my

Smoking is not only the most common form of tobacco use but one of the leading preventable risk factors for premature mortality worldwide – killing more than eight million people a year, including non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke.

According to Dr Arifin Fii, a medical practitioner with experience in addiction therapy, Malaysia needs to look for innovative solutions to manage smoking prevalence in the country.

“Official statistics indicate there is little evidence showing that existing tobacco control strategies are working, as most smokers have a low desire to quit.

September 21, 2021 by thestar.com.my

A 2016 Health Ministry study showed that at least 600,000 children between 11- to 18-years-old in Malaysia are vaping.

This is an unacceptable number, and begs the need for a new and stronger Tobacco Act.

Decisions are currently being made about vaping in Malaysia, which has long-term harms, without adequate public scrutiny during this Covid-19 pandemic.

In today’s column, we examine the facts of vaping, how invisible policy decisions can damage the lives of Malaysians, and propose three solutions.

September 15, 2021 by theedgemalaysia.com

British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Bhd (BAT Malaysia) unveiled its new four-pillar sustainability strategy today, where the mission of harm reduction will be a priority for the group. 

BAT Malaysia legal and external affairs director Nicholas Booth said the key focus on harm reduction is being able to provide a range of harm-reducing products that are less risky than traditional tobacco products. 

"At the moment, with the way the regulations are, the most popular is nicotine vaping which is illegal to sell.

August 19, 2021 by malaymail.com

The vape e-liquids manufacturing industry in Malaysia is one of the largest in the world and can contribute significantly to the country's income, a local industry leader said.

In a statement today, Rustam Affendi Ismadi bin Rahimi, director of COF Industry Sdn Bhd, said the government should focus on developing the industry.

COF is one of the largest local vape e-liquids manufacturers and Rustam said many local manufacturers are recognised internationally as industry leaders.

August 03, 2021 by theedgemalaysia.com

THE vaping industry has become a flourishing business in Malaysia, with a 42% share of the total tobacco market — surpassing that of illicit cigarettes (37%) and legal cigarettes (21%), a study by the Malaysian Vape Chamber of Commerce (MVCC) in December 2020 reveals. But until today, there have not been any specific regulations governing the sale and use of vapes and electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes).

Vape players have spent years calling for the government to regulate the industry. Yet, sales of vaporiser liquids containing nicotine and e-cigarettes remain illegal at the federal level, although they are openly sold and easily accessible.

March 29, 2021 by theedgemalaysia.com

A majority of Malaysians, representing 80%, want the government to take more action to regulate the vaping industry of Malaysia.

A poll titled Malaysian Insights & Perspectives on Vape commissioned by the Malaysian Vape Industry Advocacy (MVIA) [...] showed that 76% of respondents agree that the Malaysian economy would benefit from regulations of vaping products.

Malaysian Vape Industry Advocacy president Rizani Zakaria said the opinion poll shows most Malaysians want regulations of vape products.

March 25, 2021 by malaymail.com

In Malaysia, the government has taken steps to tighten controls on smoking in public, restricting smoking in most public spaces, including restaurants and bars, outdoors or in.

While the new policy aimed to reduce non-smokers’ exposure to tobacco smoke, there was very little discussion or debate about addressing the health of current smokers. 

A ban on smoking in restaurants and bars, on top of existing restrictions in shopping centres, cinemas and other public spaces, may be supported by many and reduces the potential harm to bystanders such as non-smokers and youth. But what about reducing the harm to current smokers? 

December 15, 2020 by thesundaily.my

THE government’s plan to reduce the number of smokers by 15% by 2025 may be a little far-fetched as they ignore exploring more practical and efficient methods available.

Previous measures such as raising taxes and the price of tobacco in a bid to reduce consumption had not only been ineffective, but also catapulted the growth of the illegal cigarette market. [...] Public Health expert Professor Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh, was quoted saying that the tobacco harm reduction strategy could be used as an alternative solution.

However, it would face many hurdles as it was still not well-received by Malaysians in general.

December 08, 2020 by freemalaysiatoday.com

PUTRAJAYA: Excise duty will be imposed on all imported electronic cigarettes and vape gel or juices, including non-nicotine types, but exceptions will be given to local manufacturers, Customs Department director-general Abdul Latif Abdul Kadir said today.

The excise duty on these items will be imposed beginning 2021.

Excise duty would be charged on the devices at an “ad valorem” (according to value) rate of 10%, while liquids and gels will be charged a rate of 40 sen for each millilitre, he said.