Malaysia MVA Survey: Nearly Half of Users Prefer Open-System Devices, Only 26.4% Favor Disposables

The Malaysian Vaping Alliance (MVA) has urged the Ministry of Health and the government to regulate the vaping industry without adopting the Generation Endgame (GEG) policy after engaging with approximately 5,000 adult vaping users.

On August 30, according to the New Straits Times, the MVA urged the Ministry of Health and the government to regulate the vaping industry without adopting the GEG policy after engaging with around 5,000 adult vaping users. The survey showed that 26.4% preferred disposable vapes, while 47.8% preferred open or closed systems.

The MVA conducted field surveys across Malaysia to gather insights into vaping user behavior and consumption patterns, collecting a total of 708 responses. The survey locations included Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang, and Malacca.

MVA Chairman Khairil Azizi Khairuddin stated that current feedback clearly indicates that Malaysian vaping users want regulation, but they are concerned that GEG will have long-term negative consequences.

“This is further confirmed by our survey results, which show that 96.6% of respondents disagree with GEG.

Additionally, 84% of respondents indicated that they support different regulatory policies for vaping compared to cigarettes, and 75.8% confirmed that they understand the concept of Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR).

“Therefore, equating vaping with cigarette products, as GEG does, will prevent smokers from transitioning to vaping and lead many to continue smoking.”

Khairil stated that to ensure consumer safety and encourage responsible adoption, regulation must be tailored to recognize the relative advantages of vaping in reducing smoking harm.

The survey showed that 73.7% of vaping users were former smokers, with 80.1% turning to vaping because it helped them quit smoking.

85.8% believe that smokers should be educated about tobacco harm reduction, while 47.8% prefer open or pod systems; 26.4% prefer disposable vapes, and 25.8% would switch products.

Furthermore, users purchasing disposable vapes prefer e-liquids with a capacity of over 10ml (over 5000 puffs) (29.9%) and e-liquids with a capacity between 2-4ml (600-1200 puffs) (38.2%).

Khairil added:

“A very concerning finding is that if regulation does not align with their consumption habits, 66.9% of vaping users will turn to unregulated products.”

Khairil believes that regulation must be comprehensive and consistent with consumer behavior. For example, when introducing regulation, new innovations such as disposable vapes must be included.

In addition to understanding vaping users' consumption patterns, the MVA's field surveys also aim to correct common misconceptions about vaping.

References:

[1] Majority of vape users disagree with GEG, MVA survey shows

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