PRESS RELEASE
Kuala Lumpur, 30 September 2025 — The Malaysia Retail Electronic Cigarette Association (MRECA) today questioned the proposed ban on vape products, pointing out that the Ministry of Health (MoH) has already established a strict approval process and such approvals have already been granted.
MRECA President, Datuk Adzwan Ab Manas, emphasised that MoH imposes a product registration fee of RM5,000 for each stock-keeping unit (SKU). This means that companies with multiple product variations must spend thousands of Ringgit just to fulfil the basic regulatory requirements.
“Why should there be a ban on vape products when those that have undergone MoH’s stringent approval process are already in the market? The industry has complied with all conditions put forth by MoH, including safety testing, ingredient disclosure, quality control and proper labelling, all of which have significantly increased costs for businesses. Imposing a ban now will only undermine years of effort and the financial commitment that has already been made,” he said.
He added that a blanket ban would only punish legal businesses, even though they have invested millions of ringgits to meet government standards.
Datuk Adzwan stressed that the real issue lies with the sale of illegal products that have not been approved by MoH, as well as the misuse of vape by drug syndicates which has tarnished the industry’s image.
MRECA has urged enforcement authorities under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA), such as the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS), to step up enforcement. “The government must act against irresponsible operators who disregard the law. It is unfair for the entire industry to suffer losses amounting to billions because of the actions of a few,” he added.
“Enforcement agencies need to intensify inspections, raids and penalties against illegal sellers. A ban not only punishes compliant businesses but also risks fuelling smuggling activities and the black market,” he added.
MRECA highlighted that its members collectively have invested millions of Ringgit to upgrade facilities, conduct laboratory tests and implement tracking systems to comply with government regulations. This large-scale investment, Datuk Adzwan noted, should not be disregarded.
“If a ban is implemented now, this investment will vanish overnight, resulting in major financial losses, job cuts and the collapse of a regulated sector that has proven its readiness to comply with the law,” he stressed.
Nevertheless, he reiterated MRECA’s readiness to work with the government and regulators to further enhance standards and enforcement. “The solution is not prohibition. The solution is cooperation, enforcement and fairness. We must not undermine a regulated industry that has demonstrated its willingness to comply with the law and contribute responsibly to the economy,” he concluded.
