The government’s claim that ganja could be added to vape juices is ridiculous, according to protesters outside the Prime Minister’s Department in Putrajaya today.

Small and Medium Enterprises Traders Association (Ikhlas) president Mohd Ridzuan Abdullah said health department director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah should cease making such statements or risk facing legal action.

"Are we addicted to ganja? Are we addicted to drugs?," he asked, to a resounding "No!" from some 200 vape retailers who gathered to submit a memorandum to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Ridzuan said that such statements would only reinforce the negative perception against vaping, which he insisted was a 'healthier' alternative to smoking.

"We hope that in this issue, Malays are not labelled as drug addicts just because of such statements. If you don't have solid evidence then don't just create fairy tales," he stressed.

Johor Health and Environment Committee chairman Ayub Rahmat on Nov 8 reportedly said he had received information on drug-laced e-liquids in Johor from several enforcement agencies including the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) and Malaysian Drug Prevention Association (Pemadam).

There has so far, however, no conclusive outcome from studies done on vape liquids seized under the Poisons Act 1952.

'Malay traders affected'

Ridzuan said Ikhlas is representing some 1,000 Malay vape retailers whose interests would be affected if the government went ahead with its proposal to ban or regulate vaping in Malaysia, in response to such claims.

"Today our own Malay traders have successfully penetrated international markets," he said, claiming that there appears to be attempts at sabotaging local vape businesses.

Ridzuan also said Ikhlas is urging the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate individuals who had made such baseless claims, alleging that they may have been 'influenced' by big tobacco companies whose profits were hurt with a reduced demand for conventional cigarettes.

In its memorandum, Ikhlas is also asking the prime minister to review a government's proposal to only allow the sale of nicotine-laced vape juice through licensed pharmacists, claiming that it will lead to the industry being controlled by 'other parties'.

"Please also guarantee that there will be no more raids by the Health Ministry," he added.

The Health Ministry in a statement last Monday said that vape liquids containing nicotine are required to be registered under the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulation 1954 and the Sale of Drugs Act 1952, supplied through licensed pharmacists and registered medical practitioners.

Despite the cabinet's decision to reverse its ban on vaping, the raids have continued and caused uncertainty among traders on the ground.