Shahabudeen Jalil, director of Nanostix Innovations Sdn Bhd, said the federal government had already passed the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024, which legally regulates the vape industry.
He said the differing approaches taken by some states had created confusion, not only for industry stakeholders but for consumers as well.
“As a homegrown vape brand operating since 2018, Nanostix has complied with all applicable legal requirements,” he said in a statement.
“State-level bans need to be reconsidered more thoroughly to avoid legal inconsistencies and public misunderstanding.
“We believe the real issue is the misuse of vape products by irresponsible parties, especially the smuggling of banned substances like ‘vape magic mushrooms’ into the country.”
Johor was the first state to impose a full ban on vape sales in 2016, followed by Kelantan and Terengganu, which cited health risks and religious concerns.
Other states like Melaka, Selangor, and Perlis are currently considering stricter controls due to the rise in vape usage among the youth.
Shahabudeen warned that outright bans could push the industry into the shadows, fuelling the growth of an unregulated black market and posing greater risks to public health.
Instead, he called for stronger enforcement of the existing laws and better monitoring of illegal drug smuggling and raw material safety, particularly for locally made vape products.
“It’s essential to have engagement with the industry before making decisions that could significantly affect the local economic ecosystem,” he said.
“Consumers also need to be educated about the difference between legally approved vape products – cleared by the customs department and health ministry – and illegal imports.”
Govt urged to restrict imported vape liquids
Shahabudeen also called on the government to consider banning or imposing strict controls on imported vape liquids as a way of improving regulatory oversight.
He said such a move would help ensure that only products that meet safety and quality standards are sold locally, reducing the risk of dangerous or prohibited substances entering the market.
“Restricting imports could also curb the influx of unregistered products and provide local manufacturers that comply with the regulations an opportunity to grow responsibly.
“This would be in line with the government’s aim to strengthen enforcement and safeguard public health, especially with more young people taking up vaping,” he said.