KUALA LUMPUR, AUGUST 1 - A medical association has criticized the government's proposal to ban the promotion of e-cigarettes as a tobacco harm reduction alternative.
The Federation of Private Medical Practitioners' Association Malaysia (FPMPAM) has highlighted New Zealand and Australia's Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) plans. New Zealand's plan includes a generational tobacco ban for those born after 2009, but it exempts electronic cigarettes as they are promoted as a tool to help smokers quit. However, Malaysia's "Generational Endgame for Tobacco Products and Smoking" (GEG) proposed in the 2022 tobacco products and smoking bill prohibits the sale, possession, and consumption of tobacco products to anyone born after 2007 and also bans electronic cigarettes, regardless of whether the e-liquid contains nicotine or not.
Dr. Steven Chow, the President of FPMPAM, stated today in a release, "The bill appears to completely disregard the overwhelming scientific data that shows THR can work within an appropriate regulatory framework.
Dr. Steven Chow, Chairman of the Federation of Private Medical Practitioners' Associations Malaysia (FPMPAM)
This was extensively documented in the Royal College of Physicians' 2016 report titled "Nicotine Without Smoke: Reducing the Harm of Tobacco".
According to a report released by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) in the UK, electronic cigarettes seem to be effective as a smoking cessation aid when used by smokers. The report suggests that the long-term health risks associated with inhaling e-cigarette vapour are unlikely to exceed 5% of the risks associated with smoking.
The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has stated that it is necessary to regulate the use of electronic cigarettes in order to reduce their direct and indirect harmful effects. However, the RCP warns against significantly restricting the use of harm-reducing products by smokers through such regulations.
However, for public health, it is important to promote as widely as possible the use of electronic cigarettes, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), and other non-tobacco nicotine products as substitutes for smoking.
Dr. Zhou pointed out that section 9(1) of the 2022 Tobacco Products and Smoking Control Bill will prohibit the promotion or sponsorship of electronic cigarette products as smoking cessation aids. This will effectively prevent the dissemination of information regarding tobacco harm reduction, such as discussions on the UK's RCP report.
Individuals who fail to comply with Section 9(1) may face a fine of up to RM20,000, a maximum sentence of one year imprisonment, or both, upon first conviction. Corporate entities may be fined between RM20,000 to RM100,000, face imprisonment for a maximum of two years, or face a fine upon the first offence after conviction.
Dr. Zhou stated, "The legislators from both sides of the House should carefully review this authoritative document and consider implementing policies that have already proven effective before starting to enforce GEG.
Pushing GEG without this preparation work would be a risky social experiment.
The Malaysian Medical Association (FPMPAM) has criticized the proposal to criminalize the possession and consumption of cigarettes, tobacco or electronic cigarettes by individuals born after January 1, 2007. FPMPAM describes this as a key provision in the Tobacco Control Bill.
Once convicted, these crimes may result in fines of up to RM 5000. If the Global E-cigarette and Tobacco Law is enforced starting from 2025, this means that adolescents and children aged 18 and below who are caught smoking, using e-cigarettes, or possessing tobacco or e-cigarette devices will face enforcement and prosecution.
Smoking, vaping, and using tobacco products have significant health consequences and are addictive diseases. Like all addicts, they require appropriate medical intervention and treatment from specially trained professionals, rather than being convicted as criminals, said FPMPAM.
The medical association has pointed out that their experience in community-based treatment for opioid addiction shows that a network of specially trained national general practitioners (GPs) and family doctors is best suited to manage this issue.
For children caught attempting to smoke or use e-cigarettes, they are also the best care points. However, the bill lacks provisions to promote and authorize healthcare professionals to complete this task.
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