Towards stronger regulation of vaping in Malaysia
December 8, 2020
Par: communication@cnct.fr
Dernière mise à jour: December 8, 2020
Temps de lecture: 2 minutes
During a parliamentary session in Malaysia, the government expressed its desire to move towards stronger regulations regarding the vaping industry. The Minister of Health notably expressed his concerns about the repercussions of this new sector on public finances, as well as on the health of Malaysians.[1].
When a Malaysian MP questioned the Minister of Health about his potential support for the vaping industry, given its growing economic clout and the opportunities it could represent in terms of jobs and tax revenues, the former developed a critical discourse regarding e-cigarettes. According to him, the economic opportunities associated with their consumption must be weighed against the still too uncertain costs associated with these new modes of consumption.
A reaction in line with the requirements of the FCTC
Thus, far from providing support to the vaping industry, the Malaysian Minister of Health is talking about a need to regulate the use of electronic cigarettes, described as " global epidemic " This political reaction is in line with the recommendations of the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). On the one hand, the Treaty obliges Parties to ensure that " policies are not influenced by the commercial and other interests of the tobacco industry[2] ". On the other hand, the FCTC requires public authorities to implement " legislative, executive, administrative measures […] in order to develop appropriate policies to prevent and reduce tobacco consumption and nicotine addiction[3] "In other words, from a regulatory perspective, health considerations take precedence over economic considerations, and promoting the nicotine industry is incompatible with the public health objectives of the FCTC.
Keywords: Malaysia, Vape ©Generation Without Tobacco[1] MOH fears vaping will cost Malaysia more than potential tax income, seeks tight controls on industry, Malaymail, December 4, 2020
[2] WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, Article 5.3
[3] WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, Article 5.2
National Committee Against Smoking |
