Prevent those under 18 from engaging in vaping: lobby group
A Malaysian lobby group called factasia.org wants the government to regulate vaping as a helathier alternative to tobacco smoking and wants it off-limits to those below the age of 18.
They also demand for vaping materials to be drug-free.
It is estimated there could be up to a million adults in Malaysia who are hooked on vaping, making how safe it is of major concern.
A survey commissioned by factasia.org which polled 404 smokers in May and June had over 90 % of respondents wanting the government to encourage smokers to switch to vaping, and to restrict its use to those above the age of 18.
The survey, conducted online by global polling company Ipsos, was also carried out in five other Asian countries.
“We are not advocates of smoking or vaping, but encourage rational debate and sensible regulations on e-cigarettes for the benefit of consumers,” said factasia.org co-founder Heneage Mitchell in a report carried by The Rakyat Post.
The vapers deserve the protection of regulations and standards that are expected in other products, he added.
While the group agreed that vaping should be restricted to adults, they acknowledged that e-cigarettes were “here to stay”.
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