Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy CEO Azrul Mohd Khalib said while most countries around the world are moving towards curtailing and reducing the prevalence of smoking and vaping among its population, the Malaysian government appeared to be going in the opposite direction, seemingly in a desperate move to collect tax revenue. – Malay Mail photo
KUCHING (April 1): Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy has criticised the government’s recent decision to remove liquid or gel nicotine from the list of controlled substances scheduled under the Poisons Act 1952.
Its chief executive officer Azrul Mohd Khalib said this was an “exceptionally regressive move” by the government, stunning many who work in public health and especially those in tobacco control.
“This order by the Health Minister goes against the advice by the Poisons Board which had earlier unanimously rejected this proposal. The Ministry of Finance had reportedly requested the Ministry of Health for this exemption to enable e-cigarettes and vape liquid or gels containing nicotine to be taxed beginning April 1.
“It was intended to not only legitimise the use of nicotine e-cigarettes and vape, but also allow local industry to manufacture such products, which are currently mostly imported from China, so that they could also be taxed,” he said in a statement today.
Unlike many countries, Azrul said Malaysia still does not have legislation specifically for tobacco and vape control.
While most countries around the world are moving towards curtailing and reducing the prevalence of smoking and vaping among its population, he said the Malaysian government appeared to be going in the opposite direction, seemingly in a desperate move to collect tax revenue.
He said this may open the floodgates to existing and new problems which are unable to be handled by the current healthcare and legal system.
“Where previously nicotine was tightly controlled, this compound will now be able to be easily accessible, used and manipulated without restraint or regulation.
“There are now absolutely no safeguards which prevent the online sale of e-cigarettes and vape products of high nicotine concentration to anyone, including minors.
“How did we get from being leaders in advocating a progressive policy which aims to produce a smoke-free generation of people, to a policy which deregulates nicotine and encourages the growth of the local nicotine vape industry?
“Other countries were looking forward to Malaysia’s leadership on this issue,” he stated.
To regulate vape, Azrul said the government could impose the same standards as those in countries such as the United Kingdom, Indonesia and New Zealand where one cannot get more than 2 per cent nicotine, and the same restrictions imposed on cigarettes for marketing, promotion and sales.
He wondered why dropped nicotine altogether from being a controlled substance.
“It does not make sense. Malaysia is likely to lose its credibility on the international stage and in places such as the World Health Assembly.
“This government decision now undermines and removes a cornerstone of anti-tobacco policy in Malaysia. Unfortunately, this country will join an exclusive group of nations which are reversing or ignoring anti-tobacco measures intended to reduce the prevalence of smoking, the number of young smokers and vapers, nicotine addiction, cancer, and premature death.
“This decision is likely to mark the beginning of one of the biggest public health crises in Malaysia: a dramatic increase in young people and children who are addicted to nicotine, through vape.
“We are already going through the non-communicable diseases crisis with millions of people living with diabetes, cancer, hypertension and obesity. This will be the next one,” he said.
According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019, Azrul said 1.12 million people in this country are now using e-cigarettes.
He observed that an industry survey indicated that around 68 per cent of male respondents vaped, compared to 32 per cent of women.
He further noted that at least 600,000 children between 11 and 18 had taken up vaping using disposable vape containing high concentrations of nicotine of up to five per cent.
“Concentrations that are unavailable in other countries which regulate vape. This is causing a new epidemic of nicotine addiction not only among adults but also among young people.
“We are already seeing teenagers who are addicted to nicotine due to vape. Why is the government ignoring its own data and evidence?” he asked.
He feared that this decision would also mean that nicotine would likely be misused in drinks, and food like ice cream and sweets, as it became easier to procure.
He said it would likely encourage made-to-order beverage sellers and custom vape retailers to experiment with the compound.
“It can and will lead to cases of nicotine poisoning. There are no safety standards for nicotine. A separate legislation or regulation will need to be developed to address this newly created loophole.
“Finally, this policy decision is short-sighted. The revenue gained from imposing taxes on locally produced and imported vape will quickly be consumed by the cost of treating the diseases that they cause,” he added.
According to Azrul, the direct cost of treating diabetes in Malaysia was estimated to be RM4.38 billion annually.
The total value of the Malaysian vape industry was estimated at RM2 billion, he said.
“Nicotine vape increases a person’s risk of developing high blood sugar. Those who vape have a 22 per cent increased risk of developing prediabetes compared to those who do not.
“Encouraging vaping will increase the number of people suffering from diabetes, and increase the cost on the healthcare system,” he emphasised.
Azrul asserted that the revised Tobacco and Smoking Control Bill must be tabled in Parliament as soon as possible as a remedy.
“No more excuses, ifs and buts. Vape should be taxed but it also needs to be regulated as strictly as tobacco. That is only possible with the provisions contained in the Bill. The government and MPs must find the moral courage and vision to step up and do the right thing.
“No one wants their daughters and sons, grandchildren, and loved ones to become addicted to nicotine, suffer from chronic diseases such as cancer, and lose their lives prematurely.
“One day, we will look back at the harm and suffering caused by smoking and vaping, the lives lost prematurely, the billions spent, and wonder why we did not act sooner,” he added.
from Borneo Post Online https://bit.ly/42YCHLF
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