KUALA LUMPUR: Public health interest groups have likened the decision to rush the removal of nicotine from the Poisons Act before the vape industry is legalised to "putting the cart before the horse".
National Cancer Society Malaysia managing director Dr Murallitharan Munisamy said the move would allow the vape industry to make its mark without control.
"This would allow vape products to be sold openly to anyone, including children, just so that tax revenue can be collected."
Malaysian Organisation of Vape Entity president Samsul Kamal Ariffin said the move should be postponed until there were guidelines to regulate the vape industry.
He said the government should first draft regulations for manufacturers, sellers and consumers.
"The government has decided to regulate the vape industry. One way is to remove nicotine from the (poisons) list so that sellers could be taxed.
"For manufacturers, they have to spell things out, such as where they can produce and if they need a 'clean room'.
"For sellers, they have to decide who can sell, where (such as distance from schools) and if kids under 18 can enter the shop."
Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance senior policy advisor Dr Mary Assunta said nicotine must remain a poison under the Poisons Act as it was an addictive and harmful substance.
She said lobbying to remove it from the poisons list was irresponsible as children were most vulnerable to the substance and there were already many cases of nicotine poisoning involving children.
"Removing nicotine as a poison is not based on scientific evidence. Vaping harms the lungs and heart, and vapers have ended up in intensive care in hospital."
