Galen Centre Backs Government’s Vape Ban Plan

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 (Bernama) -- The Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy, an independent public policy research and advocacy organisation, strongly commends the Malaysian Government’s decision to implement a phased full ban on the sale of e-cigarettes and vaping products.

Its chief executive, Azrul Mohd Khalib, in a statement, said Malaysia has finally taken the right steps in tackling a growing public health crisis, reflecting the government's commitment to protecting public health, particularly young Malaysians, from the dangers of vaping and nicotine addiction.

“This phased approach, beginning with open-system vapourisers which are easily modified, misused and spiked with adulterated vape liquids and mixed with drugs such as etomidate, is the right thing to do. We have to be firm and pragmatic.

“We support the stance as stated by the Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, in his recent written reply in the Dewan Negara,” he said.

Azrul said Malaysia has been out of step with surrounding countries, which have banned vapes and e-cigarettes for too long. Even though the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) has been introduced, it has yet to be fully enforced pending the October deadline.

“The product display ban has been largely unobserved or ignored, unregulated high-nicotine vape products continue to be widely available, marketed aggressively to young people, and are becoming a gateway to nicotine addiction

“This announcement demonstrates leadership, courage and a recognition that public health must come first,” he said.

Several state governments, including Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis, Kedah and Pahang, have already taken steps to refuse the issuing of vape retail licences, while other states are considering following suit.

-- BERNAMA