MOVE calls on MPs to review proposed GEG policy and its consequences

MOVE said that the proposed legislation to ban smoking and the possession of tobacco and vape products for those born in 2007, does not take into account the views and concerns of the vape users, even after they have expressed their views openly to the Ministry of Health. – Photo by Lindsay Fox/Pixabay

KUCHING (July 29): The Malaysian Organisation of Vape Entity (MOVE), which represents vape users in Malaysia, expresses their disappointment and concern following the presentation of the Tobacco and Cigarette Control Act 2022 by the Malaysian Ministry of Health (KKM) in the Dewan Rakyat.

MOVE in a statement, stated that the proposed legislation to ban smoking and the possession of tobacco and vape products for those born in 2007, does not take into account the views and concerns of the vape users, even after they have expressed their views openly to the Ministry of Health.

According to MOVE, scientific studies have proven that vape products can be alternatives to tobacco products as they are safer and are able to help users quit smoking.

“Apart from health factors, the increase in the use of vape products is also driven by the rising price of cigarettes in Malaysia.

“The people have been burdened with the high cost of living for a long time now, and by regulating tobacco alternative products such as vaping in the same way as regulating cigarettes, it will increase the misery of the people.

“We are also confident that if this Act is approved, there will be an increase in the use of contraband cigarettes. As we all know, these smuggled cigarettes are much cheaper and can be bought easily,” said MOVE in a statement yesterday.

As a matter of fact, the manufacturing method of smuggled cigarettes is also believed to not meet the standard of cigarette manufacturing, hence the Government’s income will also be severely affected by the spread of contraband cigarettes in our country’s market, it added.

MOVE stated that the proposed Act clearly ignores the right of consumers to choose their own lifestyle, and therefore, hoped that the Members of the Parliament would listen to their pleas.

“We support if the GEG (generational end game) policy is limited to regular cigarettes only and we agree that the vaping industry needs regulation; but we would like to emphasise that we unanimously strongly reject the proposal for vaping and other cigarette alternative products to be part of the GEG.

“If the Malaysian Family Government really understands our pain, take our views into account in formulating policies and don’t be cynical about our views. The government needs to be responsible for all the decisions that will be made later.

“Don’t let Malaysia continue to be known as a country that does not practise guided democratic principles,” read the statement.

MOVE is an organisation that provides many benefits to approximately 52,000 members established with the aim to regulate the Malaysian vape industry.

The organisation also creates public awareness and educates the general public about alternatives to smoking such as vaping and heated tobacco products as well as fostering proper ethics among users.

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