KUALA LUMPUR: Indonesian vape community today urged the Malaysian government to introduce vape products in Malaysia quickly.
Indonesian vape activist and industry consultant Edy Suprijadi said there is high interest from Indonesia-based businesses to expand and bringing potential investments into Malaysia.
He said implementing a tax framework since late 2018 in Indonesia has led to confidence growth amongst players and consumers in the Indonesian vape industry.
"The clearer set of regulations and government support has allowed for businesses to operate with ease, whilst consumers are much more assured about using vape products that meet product safety and quality standards.
"Since the introduction of a vape tax in Indonesia, the industry has seen a growth of approximately 60 per cent between 2019 to 2020," he said in a statement today.
Edy said in 2019, the industry succeeded in contributing tax revenue to the tune of 500 billion rupiahs to the government.
In 2020, the tax revenue generated from this industry was approximately 700 billion rupiahs, he said.
Edy said the Malaysian vape industry would likely see this growth if it is regulated.
He said the move would also lay a foundation for more significant collaboration opportunities between the Malaysian and Indonesian vape business owners.
"Many of us in Indonesia are encouraged by the Malaysian government's move to impose excise duties on vape products since earlier this year.
"It is a positive move towards regulating the entire vaping industry in Malaysia," said Edy,
the ex-secretary general of the Asosiasi Personal Vaporizer Indonesia (APVI), an Indonesia-based vape business association, worked closely with the Indonesian government on vape taxation.
"As demand grows in Indonesia, some of our members are now looking to expand their businesses outside of Indonesia.
"With regulations in place, our players will be able to explore collaboration opportunities with the Malaysian industry," he said.
"Malaysia is an ideal destination. Apart from the availability of infrastructures and facilities, there is also an established vape industry eco-system in Malaysia which is a key factor for investors," Edy said further.
"We believe the next natural step is to introduce regulations on vape products to facilitate the development of the industry.
"This must also include regulations on manufacturing and sale of e-liquid with nicotine which forms the majority of products sold in Malaysia, Indonesia and globally," Edy said.