Vape Ban Push In Malaysia Criticised As CCC Calls For Tougher Enforcement Instead
The Consumer Choice Center criticizes a total vape ban, advocating for stricter enforcement against drug-laced liquids instead.Summary
The Consumer Choice Center (CCC) has responded to calls for a total ban on electronic cigarettes and vape devices following the discovery of drug-laced vape liquids. Tarmizi Anuwar, the CCC's Malaysia Country Associate, argued that the issue should be treated as a narcotics enforcement matter rather than a reason for broad prohibition. He stated that calling for a total ban is not a serious enforcement strategy and risks turning consumers into scapegoats for enforcement failure. The CCC emphasized that the core issue lies in enforcement gaps, such as weak monitoring, product testing, and supply-chain control, rather than consumer behavior. They warned that prohibition could mirror challenges seen in other regulated products, pointing to the expansion of illicit cigarette markets in Malaysia as a warning sign that demand does not disappear under bans. Instead, the group called for tighter enforcement measures, including product testing, licensing controls, retailer inspections, and coordinated action between agencies. The CCC concluded that stronger enforcement, not prohibition, is the most effective way to protect public health while maintaining consumer choice.
(Source：Businesstoday | Malaysia)
