Could banning vape displays and plain packaging backfire

Free Malaysia Today

Prohibitive regulations on vaping could negatively impact the economy, affecting both general retailers like convenience stores and vape retailers, as well as consumers.   Read More: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2024/06/14/vape-retailers-fear-heavy-blow-from-display-ban-plain-packaging/   Free Malaysia Today is an independent, bi-lingual news portal with a focus on Malaysian current affairs.    Subscribe to our channel - http://bit.ly/2Qo08ry   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Check us out at https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com Follow FMT on Facebook: https://bit.ly/49JJoo5 Follow FMT on Dailymotion: https://bit.ly/2WGITHM Follow FMT on X: https://bit.ly/48zARSW  Follow FMT on Instagram: https://bit.ly/48Cq76h Follow FMT on TikTok : https://bit.ly/3uKuQFp Follow FMT Berita on TikTok: https://bit.ly/48vpnQG  Follow FMT Telegram - https://bit.ly/42VyzMX Follow FMT LinkedIn - https://bit.ly/42YytEb Follow FMT Lifestyle on Instagram: https://bit.ly/42WrsUj Follow FMT on WhatsApp: https://bit.ly/49GMbxW  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Download FMT News App: Google Play – http://bit.ly/2YSuV46 App Store – https://apple.co/2HNH7gZ Huawei AppGallery - https://bit.ly/2D2OpNP  #FMTNews #VapeIndustry #BanningDisplay #HealthcareSystem #Economy

Transcript

00:00The passing into law of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2023

00:05heralds tighter restrictions on the sale of vape and tobacco products in Malaysia.

00:10When it comes into force, the law, which was gazetted on February 2nd this year,

00:15will ban the display of vape products on shelves, make standardised packaging mandatory,

00:20set nicotine levels below the consumer average,

00:23and prescribe other measures aimed at limiting the use of vape.

00:27Retailers are concerned about the financial implications of compliance with the vape display ban,

00:32which may require their shops to be covered and tinted.

00:37Denise and Nikita of Pop & Dope Vape said a retail ban

00:41and the introduction of standardised packaging will significantly affect sales in the vape industry,

00:46forcing retailers to up their game and the quality of their products.

00:51When customers cannot see inside the shop,

00:53they are generally just a bit nervous to come inside because it's not so welcoming.

00:58It will impact our sales significantly in the vape industry.

01:03Other retailers have also expressed concerns about the impending display ban

01:07and the requirement for standardised packaging,

01:09saying potential changes to their store appearance may give rise to challenges in attracting customers.

01:17I think in terms of cosmetics, our concept is a bit chaotic.

01:20Maybe it will be difficult, I think I can give an estimate of maybe 120%.

01:26And what will be most affected is of course the shop,

01:28because we are like middlemen,

01:32we take from suppliers, from distributors for end users.

01:37In March, Deputy Health Minister Luqman Isman Awang Sawni informed Parliament

01:41that the Health Ministry was considering plain packaging for conventional cigarettes.

01:45He also said MOH was planning to impose standard packaging on e-cigarettes and vape products.

01:53The announcement sparked protests from stakeholders in the Malaysian vape industry,

01:57who fear the proposed regulations will stifle local businesses

02:01and impact the livelihoods of many entrepreneurs and workers.

02:05Dr Arifin Fee, President of the Advance Centre for Addiction Treatment Advocacy,

02:10said while plain packaging may reduce the appeal of cigarettes,

02:13mandating a similar move for vape products may discourage adult smokers from switching over to vape.

02:21A 2021 survey commissioned by the Malaysian Vape Industry Advocacy

02:24revealed that 88% of former smokers successfully quit smoking by transitioning to vape.

02:32He said placing the same restrictions on both smoking and vaping may discourage that transition.

02:38It may even end up encouraging vapers to switch back to cigarettes.

02:43To find out what the public thinks of the retail display ban and standardised vape packaging,

02:48FMT hit the streets of Kuala Lumpur.

02:55Blocking it and not showing it completely makes more of an impact of people wanting to know what the defensive part is.

03:03If let's say the packaging are the same, might as well I keep normal,

03:08I mean continue for the normal cigarettes rather than switch to the vape.

03:13In October 2022, a survey by the World Vapers Alliance found that 28% of vapers across 36 countries

03:21are likely to turn to black market if stricter regulations are put in place.

03:26This would lead to reduced tax revenues and less funding for public healthcare.

03:32So is that reason enough to rethink the current strategy?

03:36Daryl B, FMT News.

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