"Tighten enforcement on illicit ciggie/vaping product traders, no point only targetting legit retailers"
The article argues that enforcement should target illicit online and unlicensed sellers of vaping products, not just compliant licensed retailers.Summary
The article argues that better regulation, rather than a blanket ban, is the more effective approach to controlling vaping products. It questions what a ban would achieve when unapproved products remain widely available, noting that youth smoking was already a concern before vaping entered the market. The author contends that licensed retailers already comply with regulations and are subject to enforcement, while the real culprits are online sellers and those operating without legitimate premises, who trade unapproved products through platforms like Telegram and WhatsApp, similar to how illegal drugs are distributed. The government is urged to focus stricter enforcement on these illegal channels rather than only targeting legitimate retailers, and to ensure all sales channels are monitored so that violators face action regardless of whether they operate physically or online. The article also notes that regulatory uncertainty has disrupted business operations, with industry players hoping for no further drastic changes. The author is Mohamad Neezam Talib, president of the Malaysia E-Vaporiser and Alternative Tobacco Association (MEVTA).
(Source：Focus Malaysia)
