KUALA LUMPUR: Groups representing e-cigarettes and vape traders have called for the government to set up regulations for the industry, especially on the online sales of vape products to minors.
The Malaysian Vape Chamber of Commerce (MVCC), Malaysia E-Vaporisers and Tobacco Alternative Association (Mevta) and 16 other vape traders associations said this comes following strict enforcement action by the authorities towards vape and e-cigarette traders.
MVCC executive secretary Datuk Mohd Mustaffa Hamzah said comprehensive regulations need to be set across the board for both physical e-cigarette stores and online merchants.
"We completely understand the enforcement action taken by the authorities, but we regret that such actions were not taken with the same strictness towards traders on e-commerce platforms who do not take the same measures to verify if the buyer is of age," he said in a press conference on Wednesday (Aug 28).
He added that stricter rules were needed for online merchants, as it was harder to know if the products were being sold to minors.
"If any of our members were to be found selling their products to minors, their membership will be revoked, and we support any enforcement action taken against these members," he said.
The Health Ministry had recently raided 78 premises selling e-cigarettes nationwide, after it was found they were selling liquid vape containing nicotine to school children.
The Health Ministry had previously said it will not ban the sales of e-cigarettes and vape, but may impose regulations to curb health risks.
The government is currently drafting a bill for more stringent control of e-cigarettes and vape sales, and it is expected to be tabled in 2020.
