The Malaysia E-Vaporizers and Tobacco Alternative Association (Mevta) has claimed the industry was shrinking due to a few factors, namely the ban on vaping in certain states, the government’s attempts to regulate the practice and the negative perceptions over the practice, The Malaysian Reserve (TMR) reported today.

Among the states that have prohibited vaping include Johor, Terengganu, Kelantan and Kedah.

Mevta Secretary-General Norman Ismail also revealed that there were now 150 vape outlets in Malaysia, compared with the initial 600 last year.

In 2015, when the trend peaked, sales of vape-related products recorded an average of RM15 million a month.

The financial daily also spoke to Vape Empire Sdn Bhd CEO Zac Oh who said the industry was no longer a profitable business.

“We generally see our outlets only returning profits of a few hundred ringgit, quite often not enough to compensate for operations,” TMR quoted Oh as saying, adding the company had to shut down eight outlets this year.

Oh also said the uncertainty over the legal aspects of vaping has led to investment in Malaysia going down the drain.

James Tan, owner of Vaper’s Union, a vape product and service provider said the industry wanted to cooperate with the government to help resuscitate the once “vibrant” industry.

Once touted as a safer alternative to smoking, with claims it would help smokers wean off cigarettes, vaping emerged as one of the top trends last year.

While debate rages on whether vaping is detrimental to one’s health with detractors pointing out that e-cigarettes contain formaldehyde, the Health Ministry is adamant it should be banned.

Last year, Putrajaya began confiscating nicotine content found in e-cigarettes from traders nationwide, in a move to discourage the habit.

Many in the vaping industry meanwhile, have hit out over the double standards arguing that while authorities come down hard on the industry, little action is taken against cigarettes which they insist are more harmful to one’s health.