Tag: Malaysia

Malaysia Urged to Reconsider Display Ban

Photo: Heorshe
The Malaysian Vapers Alliance (MVA) is urging the ministry of health to reconsider the vape display ban introduced under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852), set to take effect on April 1, 2025.
According to the MVA, the display ban not only limits consumers’ right to make informed decisions but also places unnecessary restrictions on access to crucial product information.
“The display ban for vape creates significant obstacles for adult consumers seeking to make fact-based choices about the products they use. By preventing users from browsing or viewing product options at the point of sale, the ban directly impacts consumers’ ability to access key information and data about product quality, nicotine content and flavor profiles—all critical factors in making informed purchasing decisions,” said MVA President Khairil Azizi Khairuddin.
“Beyond the practical limitations, by forcing vape products out of sight, the ban sends a stigmatizing message, implying that vape is socially unacceptable. This could deter smokers from making the switch to vape, leaving them feeling ashamed for even considering a less harmful alternative to smoking. It is demoralizing for those who are genuinely seeking a way to quit smoking, and it further isolates them from the harm reduction support they need.”

Limiting access to accurate information via a vape product display ban not only hinders transparency but also leaves consumers in the dark.
Khairil Azizi Khairuddin, president, Malaysian Vapers Alliance
Banning product retail displays at retail outlets goes against basic consumer rights, the MVA believes.
“Informed choice is a cornerstone of consumer rights. Limiting access to accurate information via a vape product display ban not only hinders transparency but also leaves consumers in the dark, unable to get the information they need to make choices.”
To this end, the MVA urges the ministry of health to reconsider this element of Act 852 and remove the vape display ban.
“There are many adult vape users in Malaysia who have transitioned away from smoking. Our 2023 survey found 73.7 percent of vape users in Malaysia are former smokers. In fact, 80.1 percent of respondents had switched to vaping as a means to quit smoking. These statistics share a realistic view of the use case for vape. Restricting consumer access to product information counteracts harm reduction efforts, which seek to provide smokers with less harmful alternatives to traditional cigarettes.”
“We are calling on the MoH [ministry of health] to remove the vape display ban from Act 852 and ensure that consumer rights are protected. Transparency and informed decision-making are key to the success of harm reduction strategies in Malaysia,” Khairil concluded.
November 5, 2024
Retailers Push to Delay Display Ban

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The Federation of Sundry Goods Merchants Associations of Malaysia (FSGMA) has asked the government to postpone a ban on displaying tobacco products at retail outlets, reports The Star.
The Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 requires sellers to store tobacco products out of view starting April 1, 2025. The FSGMA has calculated that implementing the ban could cost its members up to MYR300 million ($70 million).
“Each store will have to invest significant resources into making physical modifications to hide these products from customers, but the government has not offered financial assistance or a phased rollout,” said FSGMA President Hong Chee Meng.
The organization reckons each retailer would incur up to MYR6,000 to comply with the display ban, putting financial strain especially on small, family-run businesses.
Hong said the association is also concerned that the display ban will encourage the rise of illegal cigarettes and vape products as legitimate products will be hidden from view. What’s more, according to Hong, the lack of clear instructions has left retailers unsure about how to implement the ban.
“Many have raised concerns about the need for additional staff to manage concealed products and the potential disruption to customer service,” he said. “Retailers deserve to know how to comply, and we deserve time and support to implement these changes.”
October 9, 2024
Malaysians Urged to Report Smokers

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Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad is encouraging citizens to report rather than confront violators of the country’s new public smoking restrictions, according to The Star.
Following the implementation of the Tobacco Product Control for Public Health Act 2024, citizens have expressed concern about potential conflicts when confronting smokers.
Dzulkefly is suggesting that individuals should take photographs and report the situation to the health ministry instead.
“Don’t worry. When faced with such situations, report them to us and let the authorities take action,” he was quoted as saying.
Dzulkefly said the 2010 Whistleblowers Protection Act would safeguard those who report violations.
Since the new law took effect, the health ministry has issued warnings to premises as it remains in the educational phase, with stricter actions planned from April 1, 2025.
Throughout 2023, the ministry received 9,440 complaints about smoking violations at food premises.
October 8, 2024
Law Will Help Malaysia Reach Goal: Minister

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Malaysia’s recently enacted tobacco law should help the country achieve its goal of reducing smoking incidence to 15 percent by 2025, according to Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad, reports The Star.
The share of smokers among Malaysians aged 15 and above dropped from 21.3 percent to 19 percent in recent years.
“Now, we have four percentage points left to achieve the target baseline,” Dzulkefly said. “I hope we can hit 15 percent by December 2025,” he told reporters during a media briefing on the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852), which came into force Oct 1.
The Act covers regulations on the registration, sale, packaging, labelling and prohibition of smoking in public places.
Previously, the 2023 Global Adult Tobacco Survey Malaysia reported that it is unlikely for the country to reach its 15 percent target as it took 12 years to reduce the rate of tobacco smokers by four percentage points from 2011 to 2023.
Dzulkefly said enforcement of Act 852 could help reduce the tobacco smoking habit among adults.
While the share of Malaysian smoking dropped, the proportion of people vaping grew from 3.2 percent in 2016 to 5.8 percent in 2024.
Dzulkefly said the health ministry will determine its prevalence in the future to better tackle the habit.
“Right now, the national prevalence of vaping is at 5.8 percent, so we will only be able to determine our targets once we have the figures tallied,” he said.
October 6, 2024
Malaysia Requires Retailers to Hide Tobacco

Photo: Taco Tuinstra
Retailers in Malaysia will have to store cigarettes out of sight of customers following the enactment of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 on Oct. 1.
It is the first standalone act in Malaysia to control cigarettes and electronic cigarettes, and this includes all types of cigarette products in the market with their advertisement, promotion and sponsorship prohibition.
A coffee shop operator told the Daily Express the profit margin offered by tobacco companies had dropped to MYR0.90 ($0.21) per pack that costs smokers close to MYR20, and some brands only have a profit margin of MYR0.70 per pack.
October 4, 2024
New Smoking Rules Take Effect Next Month

Malaysia’s new tobacco law will take effect Oct. 1, reports Malay Mail.
The law covers regulations related to the registration, sale, packaging and labeling of smoking products along with restrictions on smoking in public places.
The new legislation also covers electronic cigarettes.
The law seeks to prohibit the sale and purchase of tobacco products, smoking materials and tobacco substitutes to minors as well as the provision of any smoking-related services to those under the age of 18.
Health groups have repeatedly urged the government to expedite the enforcement of new law, especially following a controversial decision last year by former Health Minister Zaliha Mustafa to remove liquid nicotine from the poisons list.
September 26, 2024
Activists Concerned About Vape Rules

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The Malaysian Vapers Alliance (MVA) is voicing concerns about the potential impact of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) on the vaping community.
With Act 852 currently in its final review at the Attorney-General’s Chambers, the MVA is urging lawmakers to consider the consequences of overly stringent regulations on vapers, especially ex-smokers who have quit smoking by switching to vaping.
A survey conducted by the MVA last year revealed 73.7 percent of vapers in Malaysia are former smokers. The MVA cautions the government that classifying vaping products in the same category as cigarettes under the new regulations, including strict measures like a ban on display of vape products, could drive these ex-smokers back to smoking cigarettes. This shift would undermine public health efforts to reduce smoking rates.

We urge the government to adopt a balanced approach that recognizes the harm reduction potential of vape and provide a supportive environment for vapers to stay off tobacco.
Khairil Azizi Khairuddin, president, Malaysian Vapers Alliance
Khairil Azizi Khairuddin, president of the Malaysian Vapers Alliance emphasized the importance of separate regulations between vape and tobacco products to prevent a regression in public health outcomes.
“Harsh regulations that fail to distinguish between vaping and smoking, like banning the display of vape products, could see many vapers, who have successfully quit smoking traditional tobacco, to revert to their old habits,” Khairil Azizi Khairuddin said. “Such a shift not only jeopardize their health but also reverses nationwide progress in reducing smoking prevalence in Malaysia.”
“We urge the government to adopt a balanced approach that recognizes the harm reduction potential of vape and provide a supportive environment for vapers to stay off tobacco.”
The MVA survey also revealed that the majority of vapers (80.1 percent) switched to vape as it helped them quit smoking. The implementation of harsh regulations, that do not consider these facts, could undermine the progress of reducing smoking rates in the country.
“MVA calls on the ministry of health to ensure that the final version of Act 852 includes sensible regulations that support harm reduction and do not classify vaping products the same as cigarettes. We believe that informed and balanced regulation can protect public health while ensuring that vapers do not revert to smoking,” Khairil Azizi Khairuddin said.
August 8, 2024
Machine Sale Ban Extends to Vapes

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E-cigarettes may not be sold in vending machines, Malaysia’s health ministry confirmed, according to a New Straits Times report.
According to the ministry, Section 10 of the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations for Public Health Act prohibits selling and displaying all “tobacco” products, including e-cigarettes. “Regulations regarding sales, including through vending machines, are under review and will be enforced alongside the act once approved,” the law states.
Earlier this week, the Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation criticized the sale of vapes through vending machines at a Kuala Lumper mall, describing the practice as “irresponsible.”
The vending machine has been removed from the premises after an inspection by health ministry officials.
The ministry has begun briefing authorities nationwide on the prohibitions under the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations for Public Health Act.
July 12, 2024
Malaysia to Enact Age Restrictions this Year

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Malaysia will restrict the sale and purchase of tobacco products and tobacco substitutes to those aged 18 and over this year, reports The Star.
Lawmakers have been alarmed by rising rates of vaping among underage consumers.
The recent National Health and Morbidity Survey revealed that the rate of cigarette use among adolescents aged 13 to 17 dropped from 13.8 percent in 2017 to 6.2 percent in 2022. For vaping, however, it increased from 9.8 percent in 2017 to 14.9 percent in 2022.
“This is a wake-up call. The regulations (of the Act) will be enforced to curb this,” said Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad at the World No Tobacco Day Carnival in Kuala Lumpur June 2, 2024.
The war on smoking requires a whole-of-government, whole-of-society approach, he added.
“This includes non-governmental organizations, teachers, retailers, politicians and enforcement bodies, as well as Malaysians in general. We must be united in curbing the smoking and vaping culture,” he added.
June 3, 2024
Vaping Surges 600 Percent in Malaysia

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Vaping prevalence in Malaysia has surged 600 percent in 12 years, reports the New Straits Times, citing a recent study.
The 2023 Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) found that some 5.8 percent of Malaysian adults are e-cigarette users compared with only 0.8 percent in 2011.
GATS is a nationally representative household survey conducted in more than 30 countries globally.
The report also revealed an increase in the percentage of people who used both tobacco and e-cigarettes, from 0.8 percent in 2011 to 3.9 percent last year.
The 15–24 age group had the highest prevalence (8.6 percent) compared with 7.1 percent for those between 25 and 44.
The top 3 reasons cited for using e-cigarettes were flavors, the perception of lower risk compared to smoking, and more enjoyment.
The GATS also found that 41 percent of adult smokers in Malaysia have no plans to quit the habit.
Another 13 percent said they were thinking about quitting smoking within the next 12 months, and another 37 percent said they planned to stop someday.
The survey found that around 4.8 million or 19 percent of adults in Malaysia smoke, with 3.7 million or 14.6 percent of adults smoking daily.
GATS Malaysia 2023 queried 5,780 households across all states, with respondents aged 15 years and above, over two months.
May 16, 2024