Malaysian E-Cigarette Organization Opposes Ban, Claims Pharmaceutical Companies Are the Driving Force Behind It

Key points:

·The Malaysian e-cigarette advocacy organization, Move, has accused "big pharmaceutical companies" of behind-the-scenes efforts to push for a ban on e-cigarettes in order to protect their own products and suppress competition. 

·The organization opposes a blanket ban, arguing that existing regulations should be enforced more rigorously and sales channels should be regulated, rather than implementing a one-size-fits-all solution. 

·They have warned that a ban could potentially destroy the legal e-cigarette industry worth 30 billion ringgit (approximately $7 billion), leading to a proliferation of the black market and increasing health risks. 

·The government is currently assessing the feasibility of the ban, with some states already suspending license approvals. A final decision is expected to be announced within the next few months.

【2Firsts News Flash】According to a report by Scoop on August 6th, Samsul Kamal Ariffin, chairman of the Malaysian e-cigarette organization (Move), claimed that the driving force behind the proposed nationwide e-cigarette ban is pharmaceutical companies.

During his appearance on the "Scoop Insight" podcast, Sam Sur accuses "big pharmaceutical companies" of using their influence to undermine the e-cigarette industry in order to protect their nicotine replacement products - a category of products currently facing intense competition from alternatives such as e-cigarettes.

The real mastermind behind the proposal to implement an e-cigarette ban is not the big tobacco companies, but the big pharmaceutical companies," Sam Sull said. "They have been influencing policymakers behind the scenes because e-cigarettes threaten their market share.

He further alleges that pharmaceutical companies are leveraging growing concerns over the misuse of e-cigarettes and the increased sale of them to minors to push for a blanket ban instead of evidence-based regulation measures.

Samuel warned that such bans could backfire, leading consumers to turn to black market products that are often unregulated and have a higher risk of danger, ultimately resulting in public health risks.

By banning something, you cannot eliminate the demand. This will only prevent people from accessing legal and regulated products, creating space for illegal and unsafe products," he warned.

The Malaysian Ministry of Health is currently assessing the feasibility of a nationwide ban on e-cigarettes. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad confirmed that an expert committee is reviewing the proposal's impact on legal, economic, and public health aspects.

According to the Public Health Smoking Product Control Act of 2024 (Bill 852), e-cigarette liquids containing nicotine must be registered with the Drug Control Agency (DCA) and it is prohibited to sell them to individuals under the age of 18.

Sam Su believes that a blanket ban is not the solution. Instead, he calls for stronger enforcement of existing regulations and suggests that e-cigarette products should only be sold in licensed e-cigarette stores operated by trained staff, rather than convenience stores or street stalls. He also advocates for more robust measures to curb illegal online sales and strengthen public education initiatives.

The ban has never been effective. We have seen this in Singapore, India, and even Australia. When regulation fails, the black market thrives," he pointed out.

Move and other industry organizations repeatedly emphasize that e-cigarettes are a tool for adult smokers to reduce harm. Sam Suhar cited data from Public Health England and various international studies to reiterate that the harm of e-cigarettes is far less than traditional cigarettes, and they have already helped many Malaysians successfully quit smoking.

He also warned that the sudden implementation of a ban could potentially destroy Malaysia's legal e-cigarette industry, which is estimated to be worth over 3 billion ringgit (approximately $700 million) and supports thousands of small businesses and jobs nationwide.

If e-cigarettes are prohibited overnight, it will not only strangle people's livelihoods but also enable illegal trading to flourish," he said. "This will not only fail to protect public health but will also expose more people to greater risks.

The government is expected to announce a decision on the proposed ban in the coming months. However, concerns are growing that a nationwide ban may soon be implemented as states like Johor, Kelantan, Selangor, and Pahang have already suspended the approval of e-cigarette licenses.