Referring to the Utusan Malaysia report dated May 2, 2025, titled “Haram Jual, Industri Vape Bakal Rugi Lebih RM1.8 Bilion” (“Ban on Sale, Vape Industry to Lose Over RM1.8 Billion”), we wish to emphasise that protecting public health must remain a core national priority—above and beyond the profit-driven interests of the vape industry.
- Treatment Costs Four Times Higher Than Tax Revenue
Studies have shown that the cost of treating smoking-related illnesses in Malaysia reaches RM8 billion annually, which is almost four times the amount collected from tobacco tax. This imposes a significant burden on our public health care system and directly undermines national economic sustainability.
- Widespread Health Impact and Secondary Exposure
The use of smoking products, including vape, affects not only the health of users but also endangers others through secondary exposure to smoke and aerosols. This contributes to the rise of chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular illnesses, and respiratory conditions—even among non-smokers.
- National Productivity Loss
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), smoking-related products contribute to up to 40 per cent loss in workforce productivity due to premature deaths, workplace absenteeism, and reduced work capacity. This constitutes a substantial setback to national economic development and human capital advancement.
- Serious Environmental Impact
Tobacco products are a major environmental pollutant. Cigarette butts, ashes, disposable vape devices, and packaging waste pollute public spaces and pose a threat to wildlife both on land and in aquatic environments. Disposable vape devices, in particular, contain lithium batteries and toxic chemicals that are hazardous if not properly managed.
- 27,000 Deaths Annually: A Human and National Cost
Smoking causes approximately 27,000 deaths annually in Malaysia. This figure represents more than just statistics—it includes the tragic loss of talent, emotional and financial burdens on families and communities, and a waste of national investment in education, health care, and social development.
Media Responsibility and Public Interest
It is crucial that media organisations act responsibly when reporting on public health issues. Narratives that over-emphasise the economic losses of industry players without addressing factual health impacts can distort public perception and undermine national tobacco control efforts. History has shown that since the 1960s, the tobacco industry has repeatedly misled the public on the real dangers of its products—including committing perjury before US congressional hearings.
UN Policy: Vape and Tobacco Industry are Not Public Health Stakeholders
The United Nations Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Article 5.3 clearly states that there exists an inherent and irreconcilable conflict between the interests of the tobacco industry and public health policies. The UN ECOSOC Resolution E/2017/L.21 calls upon all UN agencies to implement policies that prevent tobacco industry interference in public policymaking. The vape industry—as an offshoot of the tobacco industry—should not be regarded as a legitimate stakeholder in public health decision-making.
Conclusion
The projected economic loss claimed by the industry should never outweigh the public’s right to live in a smoke-free and hazard-free environment. Public policy must continue to be guided by the principles of protecting citizen health, environmental sustainability, and long-term social responsibility.
This statement was issued by Dr Murallitharan Munisamy, president of the Malaysian Council for Tobacco Control (MCTC).
- This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of CodeBlue.
