Consumer Advocate Ccc Seeks Moh S Transparency To Implement Existing Vape Regulations Not Pushing For Ban

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CONSUMER Choice Centre (CCC) Malaysia has expressed deep concern over lack of transparency by the Health Ministry (MOH) on the issue of e-cigarettes and vaping products following a closed-door briefing by Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad to the Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC) on Health on July 2

To date, the details of this briefing have not been made available to the public or MPs beyond the PSSC. Requests from MPs for more information were reportedly dismissed on grounds that the session was strictly an internal PSSC matter.
“Transparency and accountability are fundamental to policy-making,” CCC Malaysia’s country associate Tarmizi Anuwar pointed out.
Consumer Choice Centre (CCC) Malaysia country associate Tarmizi Anuwar“Withholding crucial information not only contradicts democratic principles but also risks eroding public trust. Policies cannot succeed if they are developed behind closed doors without meaningful stakeholder engagement.”
Alarm bells
CCC is particularly alarmed by the Health Minister’s intention to submit a Cabinet Memorandum proposing a nationwide ban on e-cigarettes and vaping products. – a move that is seemingly misguided and ultimately ineffective on three fronts:
Act 852 is still new: The Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) only came into effect on Oct 1 last year. Instead of rushing into new prohibitions, the government should first evaluate and enforce the law already passed by Parliament.Policy incoherence across jurisdictions: A lack of coordination between federal, state, and local governments has created confusion regarding vape sales and misunderstanding about the potential for use as a smoking cessation tool.This fragmented approach risks driving consumers toward unregulated alternatives and eroding public confidence in the government’s overall tobacco-control strategy.

Evidence from abroad: The UK, for instance, has regulated vaping products while recognising them as effective harm-reduction alternatives, thus successfully reducing smoking rates without resorting to bans.Global experience also shows prohibition backfires. In South Africa, a five-month tobacco sales ban in 2020 saw 93% of smokers continue buying from informal markets with prices surging by 250% and the illicit trade expanding.
“Pursuing a blanket ban will only fuel black-market growth, making enforcement harder and denying consumers access to regulated, safer alternatives.,” warned Tarmizi.
“Malaysia must learn from international experiences where prohibitions have backfired and only empowered illicit trade.”

To ensure coherent policy implementation, CCC urges the MOH to set up an Implementation Committee on Vape Policy comprising representatives from federal and state governments, local authorities, NGOs, consumers and industry stakeholders.
“Such a body would ensure inclusive dialogue, better enforcement and practical solutions that reflect both public health goals and consumer choice,” opined Tarmizi.
“Malaysia should strengthen regulation, not weaken it through prohibition. By enforcing existing laws and embracing evidence-based approaches, we can protect consumers, improve health outcomes and avoid repeating mistakes seen elsewhere.” –  Focus Malaysia

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