The vape dilemma

WITH an aggressive annual revenue of RM2.5 billion to RM2.7 billion, the country’s vape industry is huge, although not as humongous as tobacco (RM8.5 billion in projected revenue this year despite strict regulations). But at the rate of yearly growth, e-cigarettes are closing in fast. The economics of vaping is expanding, especially after it was enthusiastically adopted by those below 35 who perceived it as — albeit mistakenly — a “safer and healthier” alternative to smoking. Health authorities and experts, including the World Health Organisation, beg to differ. The side effects are ubiquitous: eye, nose and throat irritations and, at its worst, skin rashes, shortness of breath,…