Malaysian MPs Want to Ban E-Liquid Containing Nicotine
Opposition MPs in Malaysia are intensifying calls to reintroduce liquid nicotine into the Poisons Act 1952. Kuala Langat MP Ahmad Yunus Hairi, head of Perikatan Nasional's health department, said the lack of e-cigarette-related regulation has led to a sur
Malaysian opposition MPs are intensifying calls to reintroduce liquid nicotine into the 1952 Poison Act.
Kuala Langat MP Ahmad Yunus Hairi, who heads the health department of the National Alliance, stated that the lack of regulations regarding e-cigarettes has led to a surge in the number of teenagers using e-cigarettes or related products.
“By excluding liquid nicotine from the Poison Act, we inadvertently created a loophole that undermines our efforts to combat e-cigarette use among teenagers.”
“Given the authorization from the health minister on this matter, I hope liquid nicotine can be restored to the Poison Act so that at least we can have some control over these e-cigarette devices before we implement the 2023 Public Health Act's smoking product controls,” Ahmad Yunus said during his debate on the health white paper submitted to Parliament, as reported by CodeBlue.
The Malaysian Medical Association and the Malaysian Pharmaceutical Association have previously urged the government to place liquid nicotine back under the control of the 1952 Poison Act, especially considering the uncertainties surrounding the tobacco legislation.
The smoking product control bill regulating tobacco and vape products remains pending after being submitted to the Health Council's special committee chaired by former health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad following its first reading in the lower house of Malaysia.
This means that e-cigarettes and vaping devices will continue to be legally sold to minors under 18 for at least four months until the lower house reconvenes in October.
