Over the past few years, the vape industry in Malaysia has lost more than 70% of its manufacturers due to various levels of opposition. However, the community here is still fighting to reclaim this booming industry.
A seemingly difficult situation to resolve
In Malaysia, vaping bans have been popping up in cities like Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu and Melaka, the national Fatwa Council has made vaping illegal and the government is still coming up with proposals to regulate vaping products. This chaotic situation has led to chaos and bankrupted many businesses in the vaping industry.
Health Minister Subramaniam Sathasivam announced that he is working with other agencies to prepare a draft for the regulatory law by the end of this year, and he also told the press that “The regulatory law will cover production, distribution and consumption.”
Mr. Subramaniam Sathasivam - Minister of Health
The government is called upon by the people to reduce administrative burdens.
In the eyes of the vaping community, this is yet another attempt to weed them out. Earlier this year, the Malaysian Vape and Tobacco Alternatives Association (MEVTA) negotiated with the health minister to draft a regulatory code for the import and export of e- liquids to ensure the vaping industry continues to grow. “There are still some issues to be resolved with the pharmaceutical side and the health ministry,” MEVTA president Rizani Zakaria said. The issue is that the health ministry’s pharmaceutical services department requires a permit to be submitted under the Poisons Act 1950 for certain nicotine-containing products.
In order to keep the vaping industry thriving in Malaysia, MEVTA has asked the Ministry of Health to reduce the burden of registration and licensing requirements.
This article was published on Vapingpost by Jérôme Harlay and translated by The Vape Club.
