PUTRAJAYA should not pass the proposal to exclude liquid or gel nicotine from the list of controlled substances scheduled under the Poisons Act 1952, a health watchdog said.

The Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy said the proposal runs contrary to the interests public health.

Galen chief executive Azrul Mohd Khalib said the Tobacco Products and Smoking Control Bill 2022 should not remove nicotine from regulation under law.

“It does not make sense and is against public health priorities. If the government is serious about regulating and taxing vape and e-cigarettes, it should drop this proposal.

“It should instead look into tabling and passing a revised version of the Tobacco Products and Smoking Control Bill (2022),” he said in a statement.

It was reported there will be a Poisons Board meeting soon to discuss the exemption of nicotine under Poisons Act 1952 to allow it to be taxed by the government.

Azrul said his organisation is shocked as it previously highlighted in a January statement that vape products in Malaysia remain unregulated and unrestricted.

Nearly 5% “of the population currently vape and this number is rising by the day”, he said.

He said while less than 2% of smokers are young women, this group makes up more than 30% of those who vape.

“The estimated number of new vapers has overtaken the number of new smokers.

“There is a massive gap in existing legislation regarding the marketing and sale of products containing nicotine, specifically vape and e-cigarettes.

“Removing nicotine from the scheduled list of controlled substances (without) alternative or replacement regulation would remove any possibility of even attempting to regulate the nicotine content of these products.

“Cheap vape disposables containing high concentrations of liquid nicotine will flood the market.”

He said those who vape find that though they stop smoking cigarettes, their addiction transfers to e-cigarettes and vape.

“Smoking clinics are already seeing patients who are smoking cigarettes and vaping.”

Azrul said the age at which people are becoming addicted to nicotine through vaping is getting lower. 

“Children as young as 10 are becoming addicted to nicotine.” – March 29, 2023.