WARNING: This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical.
On September 19, FocusMalaysia reported some vape drama brewing in Malaysia. According to a survey conducted by the Malaysian Vape Alliance (MVA), over 70% of vape users are giving a hard “nope” to the government’s planned ban on retail vape displays. Vape users are puffing out their frustrations, and it’s no wonder—when nearly 500 vape enthusiasts chime in, it’s bound to create some smoke signals. But what’s got these vapers so heated? Let’s break it down, while having a little fun along the way.
Picture this: you walk into a store, excited to browse the latest vape gadgets or your favorite flavor of vape juice, only to be told, “Sorry, can’t show you. It’s hidden away.” That’s the reality these vape lovers are dreading, and 71.3% of them are clearly not on board with this display ban. The main reasons? A whopping 39.7% said that not being able to browse products ruins the whole shopping experience. Seriously, who buys stuff without browsing? And another 38.3% think it’ll make purchasing vape products a massive headache.
But the drama doesn’t stop there. If this ban gets the green light, 47.4% of respondents confessed they might go rogue—turning to the underground market for their vape fix. As if we needed more black market buzz. And here’s the kicker: 44.5% said they’d likely return to smoking. Yeah, the thing vapes are supposed to help people avoid. The irony is almost too thick to inhale.
Khairil Azizi Khairuddin, the chairman of the MVA, didn’t mince his words. He pointed out what many vapers are feeling—that this ban doesn’t just miss the mark; it could actually backfire, big time. In his words, banning the display of legal vape products won’t improve public health one bit. Instead, it could send consumers running to the black market for unregulated, potentially dangerous products. It’s like a health crisis waiting to happen.
Azizi argued that vapes are a harm reduction tool, helping smokers kick their cigarette habit. But without access to legal products they can see and choose from, consumers are left in the dark—literally and figuratively. His message to regulators? Let people browse, let people make informed choices, and don’t push them into the arms of illegal sellers. After all, what’s the point of regulation if it ends up harming the very people it’s supposed to protect?
Now, here’s where it gets even juicier. According to the survey, a massive 74.4% of current vape users are either former smokers or in the process of ditching cigarettes. For these folks, vapes are more than a hobby—they’re a lifeline, a healthier alternative to traditional smoking. Plus, 81.9% of users vape nicotine-infused liquids, but here’s the catch: 96.5% of them use nicotine levels below 40 mg. So, they’re not exactly chain-vaping through life.
Azizi is waving a red flag here, reminding everyone that if you make it harder for these ex-smokers to get their hands on safe, regulated vape products, they might just revert to their old habits. Or worse—turn to the illegal market, where products are sketchier than a bad blind date. And trust us, nobody wants to go back to bad habits or dangerous choices.
Azizi didn’t stop at calling the ban counterproductive. He made it clear that the Public Health Smoking Products Control Act (Act 852) needs a serious rethink. The goal of public health policies, after all, should be to encourage smokers to switch to safer options, not punish them by pushing them back to cigarettes. His call to the Ministry of Health? Create a system that allows people to make safe and legal choices, not one that shoves them toward the shadows of the black market.
The Malaysian Vape Alliance wants regulators to consider the real-world behavior of consumers. They’re not asking for a free-for-all, but rather pragmatic policies that protect public health without choking the vape industry or sending vapers into the underground. It’s all about balance, right?
A recent survey, reported by *FocusMalaysia* on September 19, shows that over 70% of Malaysian vape users oppose the government’s planned ban on retail vape displays. Conducted by the Malaysian Vape Alliance (MVA), the survey gathered feedback from nearly 500 respondents, revealing that 71.3% of participants dislike the idea of restricted browsing, citing frustrations with product visibility (39.7%) and purchase difficulties (38.3%). Concerns are rising that the ban could push 47.4% of users toward illegal markets, while 44.5% might return to smoking. MVA chairman Khairil Azizi Khairuddin criticized the ban, arguing that it could drive consumers to unregulated products, increasing health risks. Instead, he urged the government to focus on regulations that allow informed decisions and maintain public health. The survey also highlighted that 74.4% of vapers are former smokers, and most use nicotine levels under 40 mg. The MVA calls on regulators to rethink the policy to avoid counterproductive outcomes and news of increased reliance on the black market.
