Malaysia advocates “smoking act” to monitor e-cigarette use
Malaysia is looking to impose strict regulations on the sale and use of electronic cigarettes, vaporisers and tobacco products that have all proven harmful to health and led to youth addiction. The Tobacco Control and Smoking Act has been submitted to the attorney-general for a final review and will hopefully be tabled next year.
According to the Health Ministry, as of 2015, about 5 million Malaysians aged 15 and older were smokers, out of a total population of about 32 million.While only tobacco products are currently regulated under the Food Act in the country, the ministry intends to reform this with a single law that would prohibit promotions and advertising of all three products, their usage in public areas and their use by minors.
The global vaping industry, projected at US$15.7 billion in 2018, has faced growing public backlash over concerns of increased use by young people.The safety of pod and cartridge-based e-cigarettes, which are favored by youths, is yet unclear. However, US public health officials have advised against using e-cigarettes after a spate of deaths and illnesses linked to their use was reported.
India is the latest country to ban e-cigarettes – having the second-largest population of adult smokers worldwide, India has also warned of a vaping “epidemic” among young people.
