LKTN Cracks Down on Unlicensed Tobacco Retailers in Malaysia

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai
Aug.21.2024
LKTN Cracks Down on Unlicensed Tobacco Retailers in Malaysia
LKTN Chairman Datuk Wan Abd Rahim Wan Abdullah stated at a parade event today that Malaysia has issued 30,000 tobacco licenses nationwide, with 3,000 in Kelantan.

According to The Sun, on August 21, Datuk Wan Abd Rahim Wan Abdullah, chairman of Malaysia's National Kenaf and Tobacco Board (LKTN), announced at the "Jalur Gemilang" and Independence Day parade ceremony today that 30,000 tobacco distribution or production licenses have been registered and issued nationwide, with approximately 3,000 licenses approved in the state of Kelantan.


He pointed out that many warehouse owners, retailers, and distributors in rural areas have not yet applied for tobacco distribution or production licenses.


To address this issue and increase the license application rate, LKTN has implemented intelligent enforcement measures. These measures include conducting on-site inspections in key urban and rural areas to enhance understanding of license requirements.


We have identified several non-compliant business establishments, including retailers, which may face fines of up to RM 250,000 (USD 57,084) for selling and distributing tobacco products without proper authorization.


Media reports earlier indicated that from January 1, 2023, to July 15 of the same year, LKTN has approved 29,098 tobacco distribution or production licenses out of 38,067 registered establishments on the Malaysian peninsula.


According to reports, the Malaysia National Tobacco Board, established in 1973, was dissolved in 2010 and replaced by the National Kenaf and Tobacco Board (LKTN). The board's purpose is to regulate and coordinate activities related to the tobacco industry in Malaysia.


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

Spain Plans to Extend Smoking Ban to Terraces and Beaches, Bringing Vapes Under New Restrictions
Spain Plans to Extend Smoking Ban to Terraces and Beaches, Bringing Vapes Under New Restrictions
Spain is advancing a new tobacco-control reform that would expand smoking restrictions to additional public spaces, including restaurant terraces and beaches, while bringing vaping and other nicotine products into the same regulatory framework. The proposed measures aim to reduce secondhand smoke exposure, protect young people and expand smoke-free environments. The proposal remains under legislative development, and final implementation details have not yet been confirmed.
Jul.23
Tobacco Companies Are Redesigning Nicotine Products. BAT Wins Three Red Dot Awards
Tobacco Companies Are Redesigning Nicotine Products. BAT Wins Three Red Dot Awards
According to BAT and the Red Dot Design Award website, BAT’s glo Hilo Plus, Vuse Pro One Box and Vuse Ultra x McLaren F1 Team Limited Edition received Red Dot recognition in the Product Design 2026 competition.BAT said the awards reflect not only the design quality of the individual products but also the development of design as a core internal capability across industrial design, user experience and sustainability. Red Dot’s product pages describe glo Hilo Plus as a two-part tobacco heater with a pen and charging case, plus a touch-sensitive AMOLED display. Vuse Pro One Box is described as a rechargeable e-cigarette with replaceable pods, USB-C charging and a switchable VapourBoost mode. Vuse Ultra x McLaren F1 Team Limited Edition brings motorsport-inspired design elements into a compact e-cigarette device and includes exchangeable batteries.
Jul.17
Australian Coalition Taskforce Calls for 80% Tobacco Tax Cut to Combat Illicit Market
Australian Coalition Taskforce Calls for 80% Tobacco Tax Cut to Combat Illicit Market
According to SGST on August 26, 2026, Australia’s Coalition Illegal Tobacco Taskforce released a report recommending an up to 80% cut in tobacco excise to reduce the appeal of the illicit tobacco market. The report claimed organised crime groups now control about 80% of Australia’s tobacco market and argued that high excise rates have widened the price gap between legal and illegal products. The recommendation remains a policy proposal and has not been adopted by the Australian government, which said its focus remains on enforcement, compliance and additional resources.
Aug.27
From Border-Logistics Insiders to Retail Service Stations, Australia Mounts a Sweeping Crackdown on the Illicit Nicotine Trade as iGET Vapes Surface in A$80 Million Crime Networks
From Border-Logistics Insiders to Retail Service Stations, Australia Mounts a Sweeping Crackdown on the Illicit Nicotine Trade as iGET Vapes Surface in A$80 Million Crime Networks
Australian authorities have disclosed two major enforcement actions that go beyond product seizures and retail closures to examine how illicit tobacco and vape networks operate. On Aug. 14, the Multi Agency Strike Team said seven people had been charged and two criminal networks were valued by authorities at a combined A$80 million, or about US$56.8 million. Investigators allege the groups used bonded warehouses, freight businesses and “trusted insiders” in legitimate industries to circumvent border controls. In a separate operation on Aug. 11, more than 100 service stations were targeted as authorities sought information on illicit tobacco importation, distribution networks and the movement of sales proceeds.
Aug.17
2Firsts Hosts U.S. Market Mid-Year Briefing: Companies Need to Reassess Product and Market-Access Strategies
2Firsts Hosts U.S. Market Mid-Year Briefing: Companies Need to Reassess Product and Market-Access Strategies
2Firsts held its 2026 U.S. Market Compliance and Development Mid-Year Briefing in Shenzhen, China, on July 28. The discussion examined how state-level requirements, proposed foreign-establishment registration rules and expanding supply-chain responsibilities are changing product and investment decisions in the U.S. tobacco and nicotine market.
Jul.29
Retail Case Study | Wisconsin Vape Market One Year After New Regulations: Johnny Vapes Reports 80% Sales Decline as Consumers Shift Online and Across State Lines
Retail Case Study | Wisconsin Vape Market One Year After New Regulations: Johnny Vapes Reports 80% Sales Decline as Consumers Shift Online and Across State Lines
According to WNCY on August 24, 2026, some independent vape retailers in Wisconsin say they have faced significant business pressure one year after new vape regulations took effect. Johnny Vapes, a retailer operating in northeast Wisconsin, said its store count fell from seven locations to four, sales declined by about 80%, and roughly 90% of its inventory was affected. Retailers said some consumers have shifted to online purchases or traveled to neighboring Michigan to buy vape products. The case highlights how local regulations can reshape retail operations, inventory management and consumer purchasing patterns.
Aug.28