Malaysia Bans E-Cigarette Sales Through Vending Machines Under New Law

Jul.12.2024
Malaysia Bans E-Cigarette Sales Through Vending Machines Under New Law
Malaysia bans e-cigarette sales through vending machines at major shopping center, sparking public concern.

According to a report by Freemalaysiatoday on July 12, the Malaysian Ministry of Health has stated that, under the "2024 Public Health Smoking Products Control Act," the sale of e-cigarettes through vending machines will be prohibited.


The management of a shopping center in Kuala Lumpur has stopped operating e-cigarette vending machines on its premises due to concerns over easy public access to such products.


The Ministry of Health stated in a declaration that they have met with management to explain the regulations prohibiting the sale and display of tobacco products.


The statement pointed out that it is prohibited to sell e-cigarettes through vending machines under the Food Act of 1983 and Regulation 10 of the Tobacco Products Control Regulations 2004.


The Ministry of Health has advised management to immediately cease operation of vending machines as a social responsibility, and they have agreed to and complied with this recommendation.


According to a report by FMT, social media users strongly oppose the e-cigarette vending machine installed at a prominent shopping center in Kuala Lumpur.


FMT's investigation found that customers can easily purchase e-cigarette products by selecting their desired items through a touchscreen interface and making payments using electronic wallets like Boost, GrabPay, or Touch 'n Go.


The Ministry of Health also stated in the announcement that the upcoming implementation of the 2024 Public Health Smoking Products Control Act (also known as Bill No. 852) will prohibit the sale and display of all smoking products through vending machines.


The regulation is currently being finalized and, once approved, will come into effect simultaneously with Bill 852.


The Ministry of Health also stated that since June 9th, briefings have been conducted nationwide for law enforcement officers and local authorities to prepare for the implementation of Act 852 and its related regulations.


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

PMI to Launch IQOS in Argentina by End-2026 After Regulatory Shift, Targeting About 7 Million Smokers
PMI to Launch IQOS in Argentina by End-2026 After Regulatory Shift, Targeting About 7 Million Smokers
Philip Morris International (PMI) has confirmed plans to bring its IQOS heated tobacco device to Argentina by the end of 2026, after the Argentine government lifted long-standing restrictions and created a regulatory framework for heated tobacco, e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches.
News
Jun.26 by 2Firsts Perspectives
U.S. FDA: Youth E-Cigarette Prevention Campaign Prevented About 444,000 Initiations and Reduced Illegal Vape Sales
U.S. FDA: Youth E-Cigarette Prevention Campaign Prevented About 444,000 Initiations and Reduced Illegal Vape Sales
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said its youth e-cigarette prevention campaign, “The Real Cost,” prevented about 444,000 U.S. youth from starting e-cigarette use between 2023 and 2024 and blocked more than $42 million in unauthorized e-cigarette sales that would have been used by youth.
Market
Jun.25
InterTabac 2026: First conference program highlights now available online
InterTabac 2026: First conference program highlights now available online
With three months to go before the international tobacco and nicotine industry gathers again in Dortmund, InterTabac, together with NUBIZ and InterSupply, is set to bring around 800 exhibitors from across the globe to eleven exhibition halls. The three events will showcase innovation, market trends and industry networking, while the first conference program highlights are now online, offering trade visitors keynotes, panel discussions and masterclasses to support business decision-making.
Events
Jun.22
ATF Cancels Webloc Contract, Raising Questions Over Commercial Location Data in Enforcement
ATF Cancels Webloc Contract, Raising Questions Over Commercial Location Data in Enforcement
The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has stopped using Webloc, a commercial phone-tracking tool, after lawmakers, a prosecutor and a judge raised legal and privacy concerns over warrantless use of ad-tech location data, a development that may affect data-use boundaries in U.S. enforcement against illicit tobacco, nicotine products and cross-border distribution networks.
Jun.29
Bringing Tax and Insurance Into Nicotine Regulation: Insights From a Tobacco Harm-Reduction Report
Bringing Tax and Insurance Into Nicotine Regulation: Insights From a Tobacco Harm-Reduction Report
A smoke-free nicotine policy report argues that tobacco harm reduction should move beyond product bans and health warnings into tax policy, insurance pricing and risk-based regulation. While some projections remain open to debate, the report highlights a wider challenge: nicotine products, technologies and consumer behavior have changed sharply over the past decade, and regulatory systems may need new tools to better align tobacco control with harm-reduction goals.
Jun.08
Malaysian Tobacco Control Groups Call for Annual 5% Tobacco Tax Hike
Malaysian Tobacco Control Groups Call for Annual 5% Tobacco Tax Hike
According to The Star and The Edge Malaysia, tobacco control groups in Malaysia have urged the government to raise tobacco taxes by at least 5% annually, saying the measure could reduce smoking rates and fund public health and social programmes.
News
May.26