Background
The Malaysia E-Vaporizers and Tobacco Alternative Association (MEVTA) was established in March 2014.[1] The association has been actively promoting the regulation of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and heated tobacco products (HTPs) and rejecting an outright ban on these products.
Relationship with the Tobacco Industry
While there has not been documented evidence of interaction between MEVTA and the tobacco industry, MEVTA and other pro-ENDS/HTP groups such as the Malaysian Vape Chamber of Commerce (MVCC) work together on communicating with government agencies such as Ministry of Health to discuss tobacco control policies and conducting the movement to support ENDS/HTPs.[2]
Lobbying against Tobacco Control Measures
MEVTA has delivered several messages to the government and the general public to support the regulation of ENDS/HTPs in Malaysia over an outright ban. For example, MEVTA has called for more policy consultations to be held between the government and industry stakeholders.[3] MEVTA has also lobbied the government to allow the regulated sale of nicotine vape products.[4] In response to reported incidents of traders selling vape products to underage customers, MEVTA expressed support for policies that would curb online sales of the products to minors,[5] while maintaining that physical stores should be free to continue selling to adult consumers without the risk of being raided by the government.
Other activities
MEVTA and MVCC collaborated to launch a nationwide campaign in response to the regulation of vaping by the government (#vapeterkawal) in 2019. The campaign aimed to unite vape industry stakeholders in a public declaration of support for regulation instead of a ban. More than 20,000 consumers and vape industry players participated in the event. MEVTA and MVCC pledged to raise national awareness among industry stakeholders about the need to be proactive in curbing underage smoking.[6],[7]
[1] https://www.facebook.com/MEVTAOfficial/
[2] Arumugam T. Govt urged to regulate vape industry. New Straits Times, 1 December 2019. Available at: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2019/12/543710/govt-urged-regulate-vape-industry
[3] Yunus R. E-cigarette law to affect over 5,000 enterprises. The Malaysian Reserve, 3 October 2019. Available at: https://themalaysianreserve.com/2019/10/03/e-cigarette-law-to-affect-over-5000-enterprises/
[4] Bernama. Vape association wants gov’t to allow sale of vape but with regulations. Malaysiakini, 3 November 2019. Available at: https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/498384
[5] Loheswar R. Following crackdown, e-cigarette shops point to illegal online, ‘pasar malam’ sales to minors. Malaymail, 28 August 2019. Available at: https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2019/08/28/following-crackdown-e-cigarette-shops-point-to-illegal-online-pasar-malam-s/1785124
[6] Tee K. E-cig groups launch nationwide petition to push for govt regulation in sale and use of nicotine vape. Malaymail, 1 December 2019. Available at: https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2019/12/01/e-cig-groups-launch-nationwide-petition-to-push-for-govt-regulation-in-sale/1814999
[7] Loo C. Vape industry groups call for inclusion in discussions to regulate vape
. The Sun Daily, 1 December 2019. Available at: https://www.thesundaily.my/local/vape-industry-groups-call-for-inclusion-in-discussions-to-regulate-vape-BH1687276