E-cigarettes were initially promoted by global tobacco companies as an alternative to cigarettes.

In a statement, British American Tobacco said Malaysia is struggling with the task of clamping down on illegal cigarettes.

It said that according to a study commissioned by the Confederation of Malaysian Tobacco Manufacturers, 58.9% of cigarettes sold in the country are illegal.

The latest findings of the Illicit Cigarette Study (ICS) by The Nielsen Company saw 153,000 discarded cigarette packs collected from streets and rubbish bins throughout the year, out of which 91% did not have tax stamps while the remaining bore fake tax stamps.

The health ministry is set to table a bill in Parliament next March on the usage of vape, tobacco, electronic cigarettes and shisha.

“We strongly support the government’s move to introduce new laws that will regulate e-cigarettes (also known as vape),” said BAT managing director Erik Stoel.

He said he felt disappointed that the government did not ask for their input with the regulating process.

“We wish to work with the Malaysian regulators to ensure that clear and responsible regulatory frameworks are developed, which take into account all industry stakeholders, including adult consumers, regulators and the industry.

“The e-cigarette industry is growing swiftly in Malaysia and some reports have cited the country as being one of the larger e-cigarettes markets globally,” he said.