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

Texas Extends Tobacco Tax Interpretation to a 6-Methylnicotine Product, Citing VELO Ruling
Texas Extends Tobacco Tax Interpretation to a 6-Methylnicotine Product, Citing VELO Ruling
The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts ruled in September 2026 that a combustible product made with non-tobacco plant material and 6-methylnicotine (6-MN), a synthetic nicotine analog, qualifies as a taxable tobacco product. The applicant said the product contained neither tobacco leaf nor measurable conventional nicotine. The determination applies reasoning from a May Texas Supreme Court decision involving VELO nicotine pouches, finding that the plant material and 6-MN together perform the functions of tobacco in a conventional smoking product. The ruling carries applicable tax, licensing and reporting obligations but is limited to the facts submitted by the taxpayer. It does not establish a blanket tax classification for all 6-MN products or extend the same conclusion to e-cigarettes.
Regulations
Nov.06
Japanese Addiction Psychiatrist Says Complete Abstinence Is Not Always the Goal of Harm Reduction | 2Firsts Interview
Japanese Addiction Psychiatrist Says Complete Abstinence Is Not Always the Goal of Harm Reduction | 2Firsts Interview
Complete abstinence is not always the goal of addiction treatment under a harm-reduction approach, Japanese psychiatrist Tomohiro Shirasaka told 2Firsts in Manila. In the interview, he discussed patients' quality of life, Japan's shift towards heated tobacco products, and the challenges of quitting smoking for people with mental illness. Drawing on addiction treatment work in the Philippines, he advocated support rather than punishment and questioned whether fear-based health warnings effectively address the reasons people continue smoking.
Nov.10
Malaysia's Poisons Board Backs New Vape Nicotine Exemption After Unanimously Opposing 2023 Proposal
Malaysia's Poisons Board Backs New Vape Nicotine Exemption After Unanimously Opposing 2023 Proposal
Malaysia's Poisons Board has endorsed Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad's proposal to exempt liquid nicotine used in vaping products from the Poisons List, according to a November 2, 2026, report by CodeBlue. The Board unanimously opposed a similar proposal in 2023, but the government proceeded with the exemption. The Kuala Lumpur High Court invalidated the 2023 decision in May 2026, and the government withdrew its appeal in August. No new ministerial order has been published. The development raises questions about the interaction between Malaysia's two regulatory frameworks and the treatment of RM354.51 million in excise duties collected on e-cigarette and vape products between May 2023 and June 11, 2026.
Regulations
Nov.03
Turning Point Brands Q3 Modern Oral Net Sales Rise 103% to $74.4 Million as Attributable Profit Falls 81%
Turning Point Brands Q3 Modern Oral Net Sales Rise 103% to $74.4 Million as Attributable Profit Falls 81%
Turning Point Brands (TPB) reported third-quarter 2026 Modern Oral net sales of $74.4 million on November 9, up 102.9% year over year and representing 49.2% of consolidated net sales. Total company net sales rose 27.0% to $151.1 million, while net income attributable to TPB declined 81.4% to $3.93 million. The company is expanding the US retail presence of its FRE and ALP nicotine pouch brands and expects its Modern Oral chain-store footprint to grow by more than 70% during 2026. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 69.1% to $75.3 million, while PMTA-related expenses reached approximately $3.15 million and manufacturing start-up costs totaled about $593,000. ALP plans to open a branded pop-up in New York City's SoHo neighborhood on November 13, alongside a marketing campaign extending into January 2027. TPB owns 50% of ALP but consolidates the venture in its financial statements.
company
Nov.11
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
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