The Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations (FOMCA) has issued a strong alert to the public, revealing that Malaysia’s burgeoning vape industry is overwhelmingly controlled by international tobacco companies, not local enterprises. According to FOMCA’s analysis, over 90% of vape product production and market share in the country is dominated by entities collaborating with global tobacco industries, which have a long history of prioritizing profits over public health.
FOMCA expressed deep concern over what it describes as deceptive tactics employed by these companies. The consumer watchdog alleges that these corporations are using a false narrative of supporting Bumiputera entrepreneurship to obstruct and derail the implementation of crucial national public health policies aimed at controlling vaping. FOMCA views this as a subtle yet dangerous strategy, exploiting nationalist sentiments to shield an industry that ultimately undermines the health and safety of Malaysians, particularly the youth.
Alarming Police Disclosure: Vape Products as Drug Delivery Tools
FOMCA voiced its full support for the recent alarming disclosure by Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay. The Deputy IGP revealed that drug trafficking syndicates have begun injecting addictive substances into vape liquids as a new method to create long-term addicts. This development, according to FOMCA, demonstrates that vape products are not only a threat to physical health but are now being exploited as a gateway to drug abuse, which the nation considers its “number one enemy.”
The consumer association warns that if this trend is not addressed swiftly, it could lead to a generation suffering from dual addiction – to nicotine and illicit drugs – through products marketed openly and attractively, often with colorful packaging that appeals directly to children and teenagers.
National Tobacco Control Policy at Risk
Malaysia has set ambitious targets through its National Strategic Plan on Tobacco and Smoking Product Control 2021–2030, aiming to reduce the national smoking rate to 15% by 2025 and achieve a “Tobacco Endgame” of below 5% by 2040. However, the 2023 National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) indicates that the current smoking rate remains high at 19%. FOMCA questions the feasibility of achieving the 15% target this year if the vape industry continues to operate with minimal effective regulation.
FOMCA argues that if the vape industry continues to be protected by misleading narratives and treated as a regular business, these national health targets are likely to fail. The association emphasizes the particular danger to children and youth, who are primary targets of the vape market through flavored products and packaging designed to mimic snacks and candies.
Vaping: A National Threat, Not Just Business
FOMCA strongly asserts that the sale and distribution of vape products should not be viewed as standard economic activity but as a significant threat that expands the influence of drug culture into mainstream society. They stress that this is not merely a matter of lifestyle choice but a critical public safety and generational survival issue.
To combat this threat, FOMCA urges the government and all enforcement agencies to adopt a firm and comprehensive approach, including:
- A total ban on the sale of vape products that act as a gateway for youth addiction.
- Strict regulation of nicotine and other substances under pharmaceutical and narcotics laws.
- Immediate action against manufacturers and distributors who target teenagers and students.
FOMCA concludes by calling on all stakeholders – the government, media, civil society, and consumers – to resist being misled by industry players who disguise their agenda as promoting local economic interests while, in reality, advancing a dangerous agenda against national health and safety. The association insists that vape products must be strictly controlled to prevent them from becoming a tool for the nation’s “Primary Enemy” – drugs – to tighten their grip on the Malaysian public.
