Malaysia Tightens E-Cigarette Regulations, Expands Enforcement to Ads, Packaging, and Sales

Apr.25.2025
Malaysia Tightens E-Cigarette Regulations, Expands Enforcement to Ads, Packaging, and Sales
Malaysia’s Health Ministry has unveiled stricter e-cigarette regulations, covering registration, advertising, packaging, and display—aimed at protecting minors. The health minister noted the rules are dynamic and will be updated as new evidence arises. As for calls for a total ban, he said that falls under local government authority.

Main points of interest: 

·The Malaysian Ministry of Health has announced increased enforcement measures on e-cigarettes and tobacco products under the "Public Health (Control of Tobacco Products) Act 2024" (Act 852). 

·The framework includes regulations on registration, advertising, packaging, and display of e-cigarette products. 

·The Health Minister stated that the law is subject to "dynamic adjustments" based on evidence and demand, with the authority to review and amend as needed in the future. 

·The ban on e-cigarettes falls under the jurisdiction of local governments, with no central level prohibition currently in place. 


According to a report by Bharian on April 24, the Malaysian Ministry of Health (KKM) will intensify enforcement and monitoring efforts on e-cigarettes and tobacco products to prevent minors from accessing such products.

 

Minister of Health, Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad, stated at the 2024 National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) nutrition forum that enforcement measures will cover various aspects such as product registration, advertising, packaging labels, and sales displays, explicitly prohibiting sales to minors.

 

"I must emphasize that both e-cigarettes and traditional tobacco products are subject to strict regulation under Act 852, aimed at upholding public health."

 

In response to the recent call from the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) to ban the sale of e-cigarettes, Health Minister, Dr. Zulkifli responded that such a ban falls within the jurisdiction of local governments and municipal councils (PBT), and is not under the purview of the central Ministry of Health.

 

The background of CAP's appeal is a recent social event: a high school student in Pahang suspected of experiencing a seizure due to vaping an e-cigarette, was rushed to the hospital, sparking public attention.

 

In terms of the future adaptability of regulations, Zulkifli emphasized that Act 852 serves as a "dynamic and living law" with the potential to be amended based on emerging evidence and societal needs.

 

"I am open to revisiting relevant laws, especially when it comes to issues involving underage groups."

 

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|From Nicotine Pouches to Jelly? A China Tobacco Patent Explores Dual-Release NRT
Special Report|From Nicotine Pouches to Jelly? A China Tobacco Patent Explores Dual-Release NRT
A patent published on February 24, 2026, by China Tobacco Hubei Industrial Co., Ltd. introduces a “nicotine jelly” product designed to combine rapid and sustained nicotine delivery. By integrating both free and microencapsulated nicotine, the product aims to address key limitations of traditional nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), while also raising new regulatory and product classification questions.
Innovation
Mar.18
The Volume Illusion: Measuring the Future of Nicotine with the Tools of the Past
The Volume Illusion: Measuring the Future of Nicotine with the Tools of the Past
As next-generation nicotine products become economically central rather than marginal, traditional volume-based metrics are increasingly unable to explain consumption, risk, and value. Units designed for a cigarette-based economy struggle to describe systems defined by delivery speed, pharmacokinetics, and adaptive user behavior. Drawing on financial reporting, regulation, and nicotine science, a fundamental question: can the future of nicotine still be measured using the tools of its past?
Feb.09 by Alan Zhao | 2Firsts Perspectives
Glasgow bin lorry fires spark calls to broaden vape and battery disposal messaging
Glasgow bin lorry fires spark calls to broaden vape and battery disposal messaging
Glasgow residents have been warned that throwing batteries and vapes away at home can endanger refuse workers, amid bin lorries catching fire. The city council said it will launch a communications campaign next month to tell people to place batteries in special bins at supermarkets or household waste recycling centres, supported by a dedicated web page listing other disposal sites.
Feb.11 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Alabama Senate Passes SB9 to Ban Vaping in Indoor Public Places
Alabama Senate Passes SB9 to Ban Vaping in Indoor Public Places
Alabama’s Senate approved SB9 by a 31–1 vote, expanding existing indoor smoking restrictions to include vaping in a wide range of public places. The bill keeps the current $25 fine, renames the state’s Clean Indoor Air Act, and now heads to the House. If enacted, it would take effect on Oct. 1, 2026.
Feb.02 by 2FIRSTS.ai
New Zealand Vape Company Alt Becomes Government Partner After Suing Over Nicotine Limits
New Zealand Vape Company Alt Becomes Government Partner After Suing Over Nicotine Limits
Health NZ signed a NZD 500,000 contract with New Zealand-owned vape company Alt NZ Limited in December 2025 for its free vape kit programme for smokers, with more than 7,000 kits distributed so far.
Mar.23 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Daegu Jung-gu: liquid e-cigarettes with synthetic nicotine to be fined in nonsmoking areas under revised Tobacco Business Act
Daegu Jung-gu: liquid e-cigarettes with synthetic nicotine to be fined in nonsmoking areas under revised Tobacco Business Act
Daegu’s Jung-gu District announced on Feb. 10 that, following amendments to the Tobacco Business Act that explicitly classify liquid e-cigarettes containing synthetic nicotine as “tobacco” (effective April 24, 2026), the district will expand regulations to include fines for vaping such products in designated nonsmoking areas. The district health office said smokers/vapers could face an administrative fine of up to 100,000 won for using synthetic-nicotine liquid e-cigarettes in smoke-free zones
Feb.10 by 2FIRSTS.ai