Health groups unhappy govt using vape, e-cigarrettes for revenue
The Malaysian Council for Tobacco Control (MCTC) and 37 other health-related bodies say they are opposed to the idea of revenue generation from vapes, e-cigarettes, and any electronic nicotine delivery systems.
They expressed their frustration at the government for imposing excise duty on liquids used in electronic cigarettes.
"During the last six years, the recommendation of MCTC...
The Malaysian Council for Tobacco Control (MCTC) and 37 other health-related bodies say they are opposed to the idea of revenue generation from vapes, e-cigarettes, and any electronic nicotine delivery systems.
They expressed their frustration at the government for imposing excise duty on liquids used in electronic cigarettes.
"During the last six years, the recommendation of MCTC to the government of Malaysia is consistent with regards to the total banning of vape, e-cigarettes, and any form of electronic nicotine delivery systems.
"Vaping products do not help smokers to quit," said the MCTC citing studies that found no evidence e-cigarettes help smokers quit successfully, and adding that the evidence on teen initiation is troubling.
"While all the evidence is not in yet, the data we have to date suggests we should not embrace the harm reduction hypothesis, but stay the course on promoting abstinence from all nicotine.
"After all, in the past 20 years, there has been a major reduction in cigarette smoking in the US, little to none of which is attributable to e-cigarette use.”
The MCTC statement which was signed by its president Prof Dr Lekhraj Rampal said while vape or e-cigarettes may not contain tobacco and may or may not contain nicotine, they are still harmful to health.
They said it is unsafe and exposes users to toxic emissions, many of which cause cancer and are harmful to health.
"The use of electronic cigarettes is addictive and not without harm," the MCTC added.
"The Global Tobacco Report in their Global Tobacco Epidemic 2021 has produced a comprehensive report addressing the harmful use of new and emerging products.
"WHO has clearly mentioned that the use of electronic cigarettes is addictive and not without harm and countries must take necessary measures to control this.
"Malaysian laws as contained within the Poisons Act 1952 and the Sale of Drugs Act 1952 has not been enforced effectively, yet the government currently decided to loosen the control of nicotine and to allow this to be used as leisure," it added.
The groups urged the government not to forget about promises made to aid smokers in their battle to quit smoking.
It called on the government, MPs, state assemblies, and the people to work together to ensure the following measures:
- Expedite the tabling of the Tobacco Control Bill in the upcoming Parliament session.
- Expedite implementation of licensing of tobacco and tobacco products that has been outstanding since 2011.
- Immediately ban vapes and e-cigarettes in the country.
- Increase the penalty to be a deterrent for offences related to illicit trade in tobacco and tobacco products.
- Ratify the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
- The nationwide smoking ban at eateries must be diligently monitored and strictly enforced.
- Taxation on tobacco and tobacco products be increased to at least 70 percent of the retail price in accordance with the recommendation of the World Bank.
- Increase the age limit for the sale to, and purchase of tobacco and tobacco products from those below 18 to below 21.
- Designate the display of tobacco and tobacco products at the point of sale as a form of advertisement and be banned.
- Ban all forms of online sales of tobacco products including vape and e-cigarettes.
- Ban all forms of delivery services of tobacco products and electronic nicotine delivery systems to end users.
- Enforce no smoking at all workplace environments as provided for in the Occupational Safety and Health laws and government service circulars.
The other groups to sign the statement include:
1. Badan Sokongan Pesakit Kanser Seberang Perai
2. Community Support Network (SEL)
3. Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations (FOMCA)
4. Ikatan Pengamal Perubatan dan Kesihatan Muslim Malaysia (i-Medik)
5. Majlis Kanser Nasional (MAKNA)
6. Malaysian Association for Adolescent Health (MAAH)
7. Malaysian Association for Maternal & Neonatal Health (MAMANEH)
8. Malaysian Association for the Prevention of Tuberculosis
9. Malaysian Association of Environmental Health (MAEH)
10. Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society (MPS)
11. Malaysian Thoracic Society (MTS)
12. Malaysian Women's Action for Tobacco Control and Health (MYWATCH)
13. Multimedia University (MMU)
14. Penang Consumer Protection Association
15. Penang Medical College
16. Persatuan Gerontologi Malaysia (GEM)
17. Persatuan Jururawat Malaysia (MNA)
18. Persatuan Kanser Kebangsaan Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur) (NCSM)
19. Persatuan Kanser Kebangsaan Malaysia (Pulau Pinang)
20. Persatuan Pakar Perubatan Kesihatan Awam (PPPKAM)
21. Persatuan Pembantu Perubatan Malaysia
22. Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia (PPIM)
23. Persatuan Perubatan Desa Sabah (PERDESA)
24. Persatuan Perubatan Islam Malaysia (IMAM)
25. Persatuan Perubatan Malaysia (MMA)
26. Persatuan Seruan Islam Selangor & Wilayah Persekutuan (Jam’iyah)
27. Pertubuhan Prihatin Malaysia
28. Public Health Society, MMA
29. Rangkaian Qariah Tanpa Rokok (RQTR)
30. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
31. Universiti Malaya (UM)
32. Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS)
33. Universiti Pendidiakan Sultan Idris (UPSI)
34. Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
35. Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) National Poison Centre
36. Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM)
37. Yayasan Jantung Malaysia
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
This action cannot be undone.