Malaysia: Nicotine in Tobacco Can be Sold Anywhere so Why Not Vape liquids?

Source from:  Malaymail Online 11/11/2015

A vaping advocacy group has asked the federal government why nicotine in tobacco form is classified under the Food Act 1983, but sales of vape liquids containing the drug are restricted to pharmacists.

Malaysian E-Vaporisers and Alternative Tobacco Association (Mevta) president Allan Foo also said most vapers turn to e-cigarettes containing nicotine because they want to stop smoking cigarettes.

"How can nicotine in any other forms [be] poison and must be sold in pharmacy, but nicotine in tobacco form is under the Food Act and can be sold everywhere?" Foo told Malay Mail Online.

The Health Ministry issued a statement on Monday saying that vape liquids containing nicotine are required to be registered under the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulation 1954 and the Sale of Drugs Act 1952.

Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said vape liquids containing nicotine can only be supplied by licensed pharmacists and registered medical practitioners, citing the Poisons Act 1952 that prohibits the sale of nicotine by other parties.

Foo told Mevta members to obey the law, but told the government that it will lose its chance to regulate the vape industry if the Health Ministry forces vape businesses to go underground.

"The industry will make more money by going underground," he said. Enditem