Apology for Exclusion: Public Health Tobacco Control Act 2023

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai
Dec.25.2023
Apology for Exclusion: Public Health Tobacco Control Act 2023
Malaysia's Health Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba, apologizes for not including the "Gen Excluded from Smoking" policy in the Public Health Tobacco Control Act 2023.

According to a report by the Malaysian media outlet Borneo Post on January 24th, the Minister of Health, Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba, admitted that he does not have the authority to implement a nationwide smoking ban as he is not the Minister of Religion. However, he emphasized his responsibility as the Minister of Health to ensure that smokers and their actions do not harm non-smokers, as smoking is detrimental to health.

 

Zulfikar also serves as the Chief Strategist of the Integrity Party. At the Integrity Party's 2023 National Congress, he responded to representatives' proposal, the "2023 Public Health Tobacco Control Bill." He once again apologized to party delegates for not including the "Generation Excluded from Smoking" (GEG) policy in the legislation, which aimed at achieving a smoke-free generation.

 

On the 30th of last month, the "2023 Public Health Tobacco Product Control Bill" was passed in the lower house of Parliament through a voice vote. However, it is worth noting that this bill has removed the previously set GEG policy, which prohibited the smoking and possession of tobacco products for individuals born after 2007. The policy has now been replaced with a ban on individuals under the age of 18 purchasing tobacco products, tobacco alternatives, and smoking devices.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Special report|Indonesia's Vape Industry Has 200 Manufacturers and $1.7 Billion in Investment. Could a Regulatory Divide Derail Its Rise as the World's No. 2 Manufacturing Hub After Shenzhen?
Special report|Indonesia's Vape Industry Has 200 Manufacturers and $1.7 Billion in Investment. Could a Regulatory Divide Derail Its Rise as the World's No. 2 Manufacturing Hub After Shenzhen?
Indonesia's Ministry of Industry said at a November 3, 2026, policy forum that the country has about 200 electronic cigarette companies, Rp31 trillion (approximately $1.71 billion) in cumulative industry investment and around 100,000 jobs across the supply chain. The National Narcotics Agency is seeking a comprehensive ban on vape use and circulation, while the industry ministry favors tighter import, product-standard and distribution controls. Indonesia exported approximately $518 million in vaping products in 2025, and Chinese manufacturers including Smoore, GEEKVAPE and Jinjia Group have established local operations. An international logistics specialist interviewed by 2Firsts said more Chinese vape companies began production in Indonesia from the second half of 2025, accompanied by increased shipments of manufacturing equipment and investment in logistics facilities. The regulatory debate comes as Indonesia expands its role in international vaping manufacturing.
Special Report
Nov.05
Product | KIWI Launches Spark 2 and Spark 2 Pro in Germany, Two Hardware Tiers Share Backward-Compatible 2ml Pods
Product | KIWI Launches Spark 2 and Spark 2 Pro in Germany, Two Hardware Tiers Share Backward-Compatible 2ml Pods
KIWI has launched the Spark 2 and Spark 2 Pro refillable pod systems in Germany at official prices of €18 and €29, respectively. Spark 2 uses an 800mAh removable lithium-ion battery in a pen-style body, while Spark 2 Pro features a 1,400mAh removable battery, a box-shaped design and vibration feedback every 20 puffs. Both devices use the same 2ml Spark V2 pods in 0.8Ω and 1.2Ω versions, with AirSync airflow adjustment and a choice between Cotton Tips and conventional Drip Tips. The new pods also remain compatible with the original KIWI Spark.
News
Sep.29 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Ukraine Raises Excise Stamp Fees for Tobacco, Heated Tobacco and Vape Liquids by 30.5% as Parliament Backs E-Excise Delay to 2027
Ukraine Raises Excise Stamp Fees for Tobacco, Heated Tobacco and Vape Liquids by 30.5% as Parliament Backs E-Excise Delay to 2027
Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers adopted Resolution No. 1259 on October 15, 2026, increasing excise stamp production fees for tobacco products and e-cigarette liquids by approximately 30.5%, from UAH 0.1643 to UAH 0.2144 per stamp. Fees for alcoholic beverages rose by about 30.2%. Separately, Ukraine's parliament passed Bill No. 15532 on October 13, proposing to postpone the full implementation of electronic excise stamps and traceability for alcohol, tobacco and e-cigarette liquids from November 1, 2026, to July 1, 2027. Parliament cited additional testing, configuration and integration requirements. The bill was sent to the president for signature on October 19.
Regulations
Oct.21
DATA|UK Retail Research Group IGD Says Convenience Tobacco and Vape Sales Fell 10.6%, With 15.4% Market Share Versus Alcohol's 15.1%; Top Rank at Risk in 2027
DATA|UK Retail Research Group IGD Says Convenience Tobacco and Vape Sales Fell 10.6%, With 15.4% Market Share Versus Alcohol's 15.1%; Top Rank at Risk in 2027
Combined tobacco and vaping sales in UK convenience stores fell 10.6% year over year in the first half of 2026, making the category a major drag on channel performance, according to retail research organization IGD. Total convenience sales declined 1.2%, while sales excluding tobacco and vaping increased 0.7%. IGD's 2026 category-share figures show tobacco and vaping accounting for 15.4% of convenience sales, compared with 15.1% for alcohol. The organization forecasts alcohol could overtake tobacco and vaping as the largest category by sales value as early as 2027 if current trends continue. IGD expects the convenience market to increase from £48.6 billion in 2026 to £54.9 billion in 2031, a 2.5% compound annual growth rate, or 3.4% excluding tobacco and vaping.
DATA
Nov.11
Zhang Xiaotang Appointed Deputy Director of China’s Tobacco Regulator, Adding Another Finance-Background Official to Top Leadership
Zhang Xiaotang Appointed Deputy Director of China’s Tobacco Regulator, Adding Another Finance-Background Official to Top Leadership
China’s State Council has appointed Zhang Xiaotang as deputy director of the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration, with the regulator’s official website now listing him as a Party leadership group member and deputy director. Zhang previously led Hebei China Tobacco and earlier headed the STMA’s finance and audit department. His appointment follows the elevation earlier this year of former tax official Yao Laiying to head the STMA, adding another senior official with a strong fiscal or financial-management background to China Tobacco’s top leadership in 2026.
News
Sep.20
AIR Q3 Sales Rise 11%, but New Products Generate Just $2.1 Million in Nine Months as U.S. Vape Push Awaits FDA Review
AIR Q3 Sales Rise 11%, but New Products Generate Just $2.1 Million in Nine Months as U.S. Vape Push Awaits FDA Review
AIR Global PLC (NASDAQ: AIIR), a producer of flavored shisha tobacco and next-generation nicotine products, reported an 11.1% increase in third-quarter 2026 revenue to $99.8 million and a 7.7% rise in adjusted EBITDA to $30.9 million. Revenue for the first nine months increased 6.0% to $306.7 million, but the company posted a $74.2 million net loss, affected by listing-related expenses and other costs. Its New Growth Categories (NGC) business generated $2.1 million in nine-month revenue and an adjusted EBITDA loss of $10.8 million. AIR maintained its 2026 revenue growth guidance of 4%–6%, while lowering its capital expenditure outlook and raising its year-end leverage forecast from approximately 2.1 times to 2.5 times. The company has submitted a U.S. PMTA for its Crown Switch pod vape, with future contributions from new products dependent on regulatory progress and commercialization.
Capital Markets
Nov.13