Malaysian Lawmakers Urged to Distinguish Vaping From Smoking
According to tobacco harm reduction advocates, Malaysian lawmakers must distinguish between smoking and vaping when addressing the rise of vaping in the country. Legislators are currently reviewing a bill that would ban smoking and vaping for anyone born
According to advocates for reducing tobacco harm, Malaysian lawmakers must distinguish between smoking and vaping to address the rise of e-cigarettes in Malaysia.<\/span><\/div>
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Lawmakers are currently reviewing a bill that would prohibit smoking and vaping for anyone born in Malaysia after 2007. This bill is modeled after New Zealand's legislation, which announced a phased plan to raise the smoking age until it covers the entire population in December 2021.<\/span><\/div>
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However, unlike Malaysia's proposal, New Zealand's generational ban will only prohibit the sale of tobacco products to anyone born during or after 2009, while those aged 18 and over as of 2020 can still purchase vaping products in retail stores.<\/span><\/div>
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Samsul Ariffin, the president of the Malaysian E-Cigarette Association, stated: “You cannot ban cigarettes for future Malaysian adults without providing safer, viable alternatives.” He added, “It’s like banning sugary drinks and diet drinks at once and hoping it will help people quit sugar. If our political leaders are serious about eradicating deadly smoking, Malaysia's endgame bill can only ban the purchase of combustible tobacco, not safer nicotine products.”<\/span><\/div>
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According to the Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA), New Zealand encourages quitting smoking through vaping, which has led to a rapid decline in the country's smoking rate. New Zealand's current adult daily smoking rate is 9.4%, down from 18% in 2006-2007.<\/span><\/div>
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CAPHRA Executive Coordinator Nancy Loucas said: “In recent years, New Zealand's smoking rates have halved, not because they banned vaping, but because they embraced it.”<\/span><\/div>
