Vape Ban Doesn T Work Malaysia Should Follow Global Evidence It Drives Black Mkt Harm Public Health

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AS Malaysia considers further restrictions on reduced risk smoking alternatives such as vapour products at both Federal and state levels, new evidence compiled by Prohibition Does Not Work (PDNW) findings conclusively show that prohibitionist measures are ineffective and come with serious unintended consequences.

A collaboration of some of the world’s leading think tanks, the PDNW report series which feature case studies from Australia and Brazil show that blanket bans being considered by Malaysia only fuel black markets, expose consumers to unregulated products and undermine efforts to reduce smoking rates.

These lessons are highly relevant as Malaysia debates the future of its regulatory framework. Key findings from the report include:

Australia: For the first time since 2005, smoking incidence has increased – from 13.3% in 2024 to 13.6% in 1Q 2025 – following the introduction of vape restrictions in mid-2024 while crime has skyrocketed with a shocking 250 tobacco-related firebombing and several murders.Brazil: Adult smoking prevalence rose from 9.3% in 2020 to 11.6% in 2024 while smoking-related deaths remain at more than 110,000 annually.“Evidence from around the world is clear and unambiguous: prohibition does not work,” commented Tim Andrews, consumer issues director for the Tholos Foundation, one of the main partners in the PDNW network.
“When governments ban vapour products, consumers turn to illicit markets. This exposes users to unsafe, unregulated products, and deprives smokers of access to safer alternatives.”

In essence, the report further underscores several key messages that Malaysia should consider in its policy discussions:

Prohibition fuels black markets: Bans do not stop demand but shift it into black markets where neither product standards nor age restrictions can be enforced.Consumers are left unprotected: Without legal and regulated access, users are pushed toward unsafe products, increasing health risks.Smoking rates rise without safer alternatives: Vaping has been shown to be at least 95% safer than combustible tobacco. When vaping options are restricted, smokers are less able to quit as seen in both Australia and Brazil.Enforcement should target criminals, not consumers: Policies must focus on dismantling illicit supply chains, not punishing end users.Federal-State alignment is essential: Fragmented retail bans at the state level only hurt legitimate businesses and fuel unregulated markets while contradicting existing federal regulations that already allow for controlled access.
“Malaysia has a unique opportunity to avoid repeating the mistakes seen overseas,” opined Andrews. “The priority should be ensuring that consumers have access to regulated, safer alternatives while enforcement focuses on stopping criminal networks.”
With Federal and sate Governments currently reviewing policies on vapour products, the PDNW report series serve as a timely reminder that evidence-based regulation – not prohibition – is the path to reducing harm, protecting consumers and achieving Malaysia’s public health goals. –  Focus Malaysia

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