KUALA LUMPUR: The government must implement sensible regulations that encourage smokers to switch to vape and implement policies that reflect the preferences and needs of vape consumers.
Malaysian Vapers Alliance (MVA), a local vape consumer advocacy group said the government must also recognise vaping as a valuable harm reduction tool.
MVA was responding to the findings from the recent Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2023, which highlighted a significant shift in smoking habits to vaping in Malaysia.
The GATS survey revealed a promising decline in the percentage of smokers in Malaysia, dropping from 23 per cent in 2011 to 19 per cent in 2023.
Concurrently, the number of vapers rose sharply from 0.8 per cent in 2011 to 5.8 per cent in 2023, demonstrating a substantial move of smokers to vaping, a testament towards the tobacco harm reduction approach being accepted by smokers.
The survey also indicated that vaping is the second most preferred tool for smokers aiming to quit, underlining the importance of supportive vape regulations in public health strategies.
Further, the survey found that 62.8 per cent of Malaysian vaper users preferred fruit-flavoured vape products, suggesting that vape regulations will be most effective if they align with consumer preferences.
MVA president Khairil Azizi Khairuddin said the GATS findings indicate that vaping is playing a crucial role in helping smokers reduce or quit smoking altogether.
He said the increase in vapers and the preference for fruit-flavoured products underscore the need for regulations that support rather than hinder these positive trends.
“We urge the government to recognise vaping as a valuable harm reduction tool and to implement policies that reflect the preferences and needs of vape consumers.
“Imposing restrictions that do not consider these factors could drive consumers back to smoking, negating the public health gains we have achieved,” he said in a statement.
The GATS also found that 70.9 per cent of smokers ignore health warnings on cigarette packaging, a significant drop as compared to 21.9 per cent in 2011.
This data suggests that any restrictive packaging requirements such as standardised packaging that is currently being considered for vape products are unlikely to be effective.
“The data on smokers ignoring the packaging casts doubt on the effectiveness of restrictive requirements on packaging for vape products.
“Our priority should be to ensure that regulations are evidence-based and focused on reducing harm.
“We believe that with sensible regulations, vaping can continue to contribute to the declining smoking rates and improve public health outcomes in Malaysia,” Khairil added.
MVA remains committed to working with the government and other stakeholders to develop regulations protecting public health while supporting smokers’ journey to quit.
The agency said sensible vape regulations, tailored to consumer behaviour and preferences, are essential for sustaining the positive trend towards tobacco harm reduction in Malaysia.
