Govt’s proposed cigarette, vape ban could backfire: business group

KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI) has labelled the Health Ministry’s intention to ban cigarettes and vape for those born after 2005 as a “knee-jerk reaction” that could backfire.

MICCI contended that the ban may possibly lead consumers to unregulated hazardous black-market nicotine or tobacco products.

“It can lead to inconsistent enforcement and send a wrong message to the investment and business community.

“This move will also create an uncontrollable black market for cigarettes and vape (products),” MICCI executive director Shaun Cheah said in a statement.

It was pointed out that Malaysia introduced high excise duties for cigarettes with the hope of reducing smoking, but instead saw black market tobacco commanding a 57% share of the market.

Instead of an outright ban, MICCI urges Putrajaya to consider harm-reduction policies which they say have been proven to encourage smokers to switch to less harmful products such as no-burn cigarettes and vape.

“Multiple international studies have shown that no-burn or vape is significantly less harmful.

“Even New Zealand, which the Health Ministry is proposing to emulate, embraced and encouraged alternative products before announcing their plan,” Cheah said.

MICCI said that the Health Ministry should not discount the data and work towards introducing comprehensive, complementary harm-reduction regulations which it argues will protect the health of Malaysians and allow businesses to continue contributing towards excise duties.

“MICCI believes in a serious harm reduction stance to address the sale of illegal tobacco products and unregulated vape as an initial step instead,” Cheah added. – The Vibes, January 29, 2022