Guidelines on sales of e-cigarette liquid proposed

The Malaysian E-Vaporizers and Alternative Tobacco Association (MEVTA) has proposed that the government formulate guidelines on the sale of flavoured liquid products for electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) to prevent entrepreneurs from suffering undue losses.

Its president Allan Foo said the guidelines were required before any operation against the sale of e-cigarette or vape liquid products is carried out.

"If the level of nicotine is of concern, we think the government should come up with policies and guidelines on nicotine content which could be made standard for e-cigarette liquid retailers," he told a media conference here Saturday.

The media had earlier reported on Health Ministry's operation against sale of nicotine in the open nationwide on Nov 5. Flavoured vape liquid products were seized under the Poisons Act 1952 and the Food Act 1983.

Under the Poisons Act 1952, nicotine is placed as category C poison which can only be sold or supplied as a medicine or medical substance by a registered medical practitioner.

Foo said the association was prepared to cooperate with government agencies to share knowledge on the content of flavoured liquid products for e-cigarettes.

He said so far, there are more than 1,000 shops selling vaping liquid products throughout the country.

He said the act of confiscating all liquid products would affect small retailers in the business.

"The vape liquid operators spend about RM25 to produce 30 millilitres of flavoured vape liquid...they would suffer huge losses if their goods are seized," he said.