KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Health (MOH) should study the control measures implemented by the authorities in the United Kingdom (UK) on nicotine vape industry, says The Malaysian Vape Chamber of Commerce (MVCC).
MVCC said studies undertaken by the UK has shown success in reducing number of smokers in the country by encouraging the use of vape and at the same time, put in place appropriate regulations that prevent abuse of vape products such as the incidences that have occurred in the United States.
MVCC’s statement follows latest international media reports on a recent study conducted in UK by University College London, with the support of Cancer Research UK where the study found that 50,000 to 70,000 cigarette smokers in the UK have quit smoking each year and have successfully switched to vaping, which is safer compared to cigarettes.
"We cannot ignore the fact that vaping has proven to be safer than cigarettes. A study by Public Health England, a government agency of the Department of Health and Social Care in UK, have shown that vape use with nicotine liquid is 95 per cent safer than cigarettes.
"Moreover, the latest study by University College London also reinforces the effective role of vape in helping people to stop smoking by switching to safer products," MVCC president Syed Azaudin Syed Ahmad said in a recent statement.
He said Public Health England, via its study with various international medical experts, has reiterated its stance that the use of vape with nicotine is 95 per cent safer than cigarettes and many are unaware of this fact.
MVCC also said the vape industry regrets the development in the United States following latest reports from its authorities where the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had stated that there are more victims from abuse of the products.
Investigations have shown that most of the cases resulted from the abuse of vape products involving tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) found in marijuana-type drugs.
"All parties, especially the Ministry of Health Malaysia, need to take into account the incidences that occurred in the US were because of abuse involving drugs.
"These incidences in the US are isolated and have not occurred in other countries. If we look at the UK, where the country encourages the use of vape to reduce smoking rates, there are proper controls in place including the strict prohibition of drug use," Syed Azaudin said.
“Regulations for the vape industry in the UK should be taken as a viable example. This is because the UK has been able to reduce smoking rates with the use of nicotine vape and furthermore, there are no drug-related incidents like those that have occurred in the US," he said.
On the suggestions made by various parties for the government to prohibit the sale and use of nicotine vape by minors in Malaysia, Syed Azaudin said the industry fully supports this call and strongly urge the introduction of regulations to prevent the sale and use of vape to those who are underage.
Syed Azaudin also added that the industry supports any enforcement action taken against those found to be selling the product to those under the age of 18.