FOCUS Once a fringe industry, the recent clampdown on vaping by the Health Ministry is lifting the veil on this little known giant and the politics of its control.

While not exactly an underground business, the business of vaping, which entered the Malaysian market as early as 2009 was untouched by regulators.

Now under threat following enforcement against the retail sale of liquid nicotine, suppliers, distributors, retailers and consumers who make up the ‘smoke chain’ are fast trying to lobby Putrajaya to gain control of the industry that is reported to be worth more than RM2.8 billion last year.

Their efforts to establish the vape industry in Malaysia have not been spared from political intricacies that make up part of the government’s decision-making process.