Malaysia’s proposed ban on tobacco sales similar to New Zealand’s looks to be set for failure from the onset.
Malaysia’s plan to ban tobacco sales to those born after 2005 may be facing an uphill battle considering a whopping majority of Malaysians believe the ban would fail.
According to a New Straits Times report, a survey by the Retail and Trade Brand Advocacy Malaysia Chapter (RTBA Malaysia) revealed that 85% of those surveyed said the ban, which would prohibit the sale of cigarettes, tobacco products, and vapes, would not only fail but would also create a black market for said products, as well as be difficult to enforce.
“Banning is not a solution. For example, vape products containing nicotine are currently prohibited from being sold in the market. Yet, there is consumer demand for vape products containing nicotine. Worst still is the tobacco black market, where Malaysia has the highest level of illegal cigarettes in the world, driven by the huge price gap between legal and illegal products," said Datuk Fazli Nordin, RTBA Malaysia’s managing director.
Fazli also said that the ban could eventually push legal local businesses out of business. "The government must thoroughly review the repercussions of any new policies before implementation by conducting full, proper studies. Otherwise, it can lead to inconsistent enforcement and severely impact the local business community,” he added.
Pointing out that multiple scientific studies have shown vapes to be a less harmful alternative to combustible cigarettes, Fazli said, “Instead of implementing an outright ban, the ministry should consider reviewing these reports. We must remain open-minded and consider such solutions if our goal truly is to reduce smoking prevalence in the country.”