Regulate, control: Experts warn vape, e-cigarette ban may fuel black market, push users to more harmful illicit products
Experts urge Malaysia to regulate rather than ban vapes and e-cigarettes, warning that prohibition could boost illicit markets and expose users to greater health risks.Summary
Public health and criminology experts speaking at a DayakDaily illicit trade dialogue in Kuching argue that regulating and controlling vape and e-cigarette products is safer and more effective than blanket prohibition. They explain that combustion—not nicotine—drives smoking-related diseases, making smoke-free alternatives such as heated tobacco, snus, and regulated e-cigarettes a practical harm-reduction strategy, as seen in the UK, Japan, and Sweden. In Malaysia, however, weak regulation and inadequate product testing leave users exposed to illicit vapes that may contain dangerous substances, including fentanyl, and undisclosed nicotine levels. The experts caution that prohibition could push users toward cheaper, unregulated illicit cigarettes and expand black markets, citing persistent illicit tobacco and gambling markets despite bans. Malaysia already loses significant tax revenue and spends heavily on enforcement with limited success, and criminalising users is unlikely to work without addressing real human behaviour. Instead, they recommend strengthening enforcement, ensuring product safety and labelling, supporting smoking cessation, and adopting evidence-based regulation to reduce harm while curbing illicit trade.
(Source：DayakDaily)
