Call for registration: Vape products as nicotine replacement must comply with pharmaceutical regulations

SHAH ALAM - Vape products considered as nicotine replacement or devices to aid individuals to quit smoking must be registered according to the law and only registered products should be sold.

Sunway University Medical and Life Studies Centre believes that vape businesses must follow the same regulations as other drugs, including mandatory registration of pharmaceutical products with the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA).

A joint statement by Dr. Amar Daud Iskandar Abdullah, Dr. Ser Hooi Leng, and Professor Long Chiau Ming points out that the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984, approved under the Sale of Drugs Act 1952, supports this standpoint.

"Regulation 7(1) stipulates the production, sale, supply, possession for sale and import of drugs must be controlled through the product registration process with the NPRA.

"For example, paracetamol, a common drug purchasable in grocery stores. Similar to nicotine, oral drugs containing paracetamol are an exempt poison under the Poisons Act 1952, but any product containing paracetamol must be registered with the Health Ministry before it's sold.

"This product registration guarantees that vape and its solutions comply with safety standards. This, mandates ingredients disclosure, raising awareness for users and decreases the risks related to unregistered products," they stated on Thursday.

They said the act of registering vape products was in line with the upcoming 2023 Smoking Products Control for Public Health Bill expected to include a provision that requires all tobacco and vape products to be registered before it is sold.

They further emphasised that registering vape products is a progressive step towards managing sales and distribution, while also enabling effective enforcement of the law and promoting responsible practices within the vape industry.

"This procedure would enable the distribution and sales of vape to be controlled. Only registered products can be sold legally by an individual or licensed companies.

"This measure would ensure vape and its solutions meet safety standards reducing the danger to consumers and the public from unregistered products," they said.