Four vaping groups, represented by Malaysian Retail Vaping Association chairman Datuk Azwan Abmanas, will submit a memorandum to a special officer in the Prime Minister's Office urging the government to consider the future of Malaysia's vaping industry.

This is in response to an upcoming recommendation from the Ministry of Health (MoH).

The Malaysian Retail Vaping Association (MRECA), Malaysian Vaping Chamber of Commerce (MVCC), Malaysian Vaping Traders Association (PPVM) and Malaysian Vaporizers and Tobacco Substitutes Association (MEVTA) represent over 3,000 entrepreneurs and businesses and currently employ 15,000 Employees from the manufacturing, distribution and retail sectors of the domestic e-cigarette industry.

The memorandum includes comments and concerns on the proposed policy, which have not been previously considered by the Ministry of Health.

“As an association representing the voice of the local e-cigarette industry manufacturers, we believe that our views are crucial in developing regulations for the industry as it concerns the future of local players,” said the president of MRECA.

The Malaysian Retail E-Cigarette Association (MRECA) said in April last year it had effectively urged the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health, Science and Innovation (PSSC) to allow local vaping industry players to give their views on the proposed Tobacco and Smoking Control Bill.

Ab Manas has said that there needs to be a more detailed discussion of upcoming regulations for vaping products. "So far, the Ministry of Health (MoH) has had little discussion with the local industry. Our main concern is that the Ministry intends to introduce regulations to regulate e-cigarettes, similar to tobacco products."

He added that local authorities should differentiate between tobacco products and safer nicotine substitutes. “Governments need to see that tobacco and vaping products are different. There is clear evidence from around the world that vaping products are significantly less harmful than tobacco products. This is a fact that governments need to consider, laws for vaping products and tobacco products cannot be the same."