In the realm of the e-cigarette industry, a fervent opposition has emerged against the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill, also known as the Generational Endgame (GEG) bill, a measure designed to prohibit smoking for individuals born after 2007. It has become abundantly clear that this industry has grown exponentially, and the statistics are nothing short of astonishing.
E-cigarettes, more colloquially referred to as vapes, have witnessed a staggering 53 percent surge in sales this year, amounting to a staggering RM3.5 billion when compared to figures from 2019. Simultaneously, the number of vapers has risen by a significant 27 percent, reaching a total of 1.4 million individuals between 2019 and 2022.
One notable aspect is the prevalence of disposable vape devices, which now command a substantial 32 percent share of the market. Additionally, the industry's workforce has experienced an astonishing 110 percent growth, with the number of employees escalating from 15,000 in 2019 to a remarkable 31,500 in 2022. These startling statistics are gleaned from the Malaysian Vape Industry Study 2023, commissioned by the Malaysian Vape Chamber of Commerce.
Considering its relatively youthful nature, it's not surprising that a significant proportion of vapers are under the age of 40, and an intriguing 70 percent of them also continue to smoke traditional cigarettes. Astonishingly, these individuals are spending between RM35 and RM75 on their vaping habit every week. Equally noteworthy is the fact that 70 percent of vapers in Malaysia are of Malay ethnicity.
This demographic data may shed some light on the motivations behind the Health Ministry's decision to soften punitive measures in the revised GEG bill, which was originally scheduled for tabling in the Dewan Rakyat but has been postponed once more.
The revised bill was rumored to adopt a "soft landing" approach, focusing on educational enforcement and significantly reducing penalties for both non-compliant suppliers and underage offenders. While this compromise might be economically appealing, it raises concerning medical questions.
Much like conventional cigarettes, e-cigarettes contain harmful chemicals that are associated with lung and heart diseases, in addition to well-documented side effects such as coughing, shortness of breath, eye irritation, headaches, dry mouth and throat, and nausea.
One glaring issue is the lack of awareness among vapers regarding the potential health hazards they expose themselves to. Unfortunately, they often remain ignorant until they experience the severe medical consequences.
This predicament is not unique to the vaping industry. Other sectors, while providing essential livelihoods, also pose significant adverse effects: oil production pollutes the environment, nuclear power entails horrifying risks, and telecommunication towers transmit electromagnetic radiation. In the case of the vaping industry, the allure of economic gains has seemingly taken precedence over health concerns.
It's not surprising that regulations on e-cigarette sales have been notably absent, particularly after the Health Ministry removed liquid nicotine from the list of controlled substances subject to taxation under the Poisons Act. However, this compromise might offer the government an opportunity to impose taxes on this lucrative industry, which has grown so prosperous that even Big Tobacco is transitioning from traditional cigarettes to e-cigarettes.
The taxation of vapes should be as punitive as that of conventional cigarettes, ideally at a rate of 58.6 percent at the retail level, although this might lead to the emergence of a smuggler's paradise, mirroring the illicit cigarette trade.
Predictably, the vaping industry will protest, to which Big Tobacco might ironically respond, "Welcome to our world." While a substantial "sin tax" can indeed be imposed, the paradoxical reality remains that, as we navigate this delicate balance between prosperity and public health, individuals should never be deprived of the agency to make choices regarding their vices, even if those choices come with a cost.
Reference: NST Leader: The vape dilemma
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