Malaysia to Implement Law Banning Tobacco Sales to Minors

Jun.04.2024
Malaysia to Implement Law Banning Tobacco Sales to Minors
Malaysian Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad announced the enforcement of a law banning tobacco sales to minors under 18.

According to a report from MSN on June 3rd, the Malaysian Health Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, recently stated that the law prohibiting the sale and purchase of tobacco products, smoking paraphernalia, or alternative tobacco products to individuals under the age of 18 will officially be implemented this year. This measure is included in the Tobacco Control Products (Amendment) Act 2024 (Act 852).


The law was enacted on February 2nd, according to which any services related to smoking will also be prohibited for minors under the age of 18. The minister stated that although the prevalence of smoking among children aged 13 to 17 has decreased, the use of e-cigarettes has increased.


Recently, the minister made it clear while attending the World No Tobacco Day Carnival: "This is a wake-up call. The provisions of the bill will be enforced to curb this situation.


A recent nationwide health and disease survey in Malaysia revealed that the smoking rate among teenagers aged 13 to 17 has decreased from 13.8% in 2017 to 6.2% in 2022. However, the usage rate of e-cigarettes has increased from 9.8% in 2017 to 14.9% in 2022.


The minister pointed out that the Ministry of Health, which he leads, will curb youth smoking and e-cigarette use by implementing this law.


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

FDA Authorizes Four More Nicotine Pouches as Review Pilot Expands Beyond Initial Decisions
FDA Authorizes Four More Nicotine Pouches as Review Pilot Expands Beyond Initial Decisions
The FDA has authorized four additional on! nicotine pouches, bringing the U.S. total to 30. The decision marks another outcome of the agency’s nicotine pouch review pilot, whose communication and review practices are now being applied more broadly across the category. It also extends Helix’s authorized portfolio from on! PLUS to the earlier on! line. Yet all FDA-authorized nicotine pouches still come from subsidiaries of PMI or Altria, underscoring how concentrated U.S. regulatory access remains.
Aug.05
UK Parliament Briefing Puts Vape Hardware Design and Materials in Regulatory Focus
UK Parliament Briefing Puts Vape Hardware Design and Materials in Regulatory Focus
The UK Parliament’s Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) has published a scientific briefing reviewing current evidence on the health effects of vape device components, including heating elements, power settings, metals, plastics, batteries and e-liquid ingredients, signalling growing regulatory attention to device design and whole-product systems beyond e-liquids, flavours and packaging.
Special Report
Jun.29
WIRED Investigation: Chinese-Made Vapes Turn to 6-Methyl-Nicotine and Other Analogs, Challenging U.S. Regulation
WIRED Investigation: Chinese-Made Vapes Turn to 6-Methyl-Nicotine and Other Analogs, Challenging U.S. Regulation
U.S. technology and investigative publication WIRED has examined how nicotine analogs are emerging as a new challenge for the country’s vape regulatory framework. The article argues that after the U.S. expanded federal oversight of nicotine products in 2022, some manufacturers began using nicotine-like compounds such as 6-methyl-nicotine that may fall outside existing definitions. Researchers cited by WIRED said some nicotine analogs could be more potent than traditional nicotine, although human health impacts remain unclear. U.S. policymakers are considering broader definitions of nicotine to bring these compounds under federal oversight.
Jul.27
Malaysia Police Seize RM12.7 Million in Illegal Vapes and Cigarettes as Probe Points to Sea Shipments From China
Malaysia Police Seize RM12.7 Million in Illegal Vapes and Cigarettes as Probe Points to Sea Shipments From China
Police in Malaysia’s Selangor state seized illegal vape products and contraband cigarettes worth about RM12.7 million (approximately $3 million) in two enforcement operations. According to New Straits Times and The Star, the vape-related operation uncovered 131,036 boxes of vape products, 4,900 bottles of e-liquid and 25,510 vape devices, valued at about RM9.4 million. Police said preliminary investigations indicated that some illegal vape products entered Malaysia through sea shipments from China before moving through storage and distribution networks.
Aug.10
 Arizona Rules Extend Across Alternative Nicotine Supply Chain, With Licensing From 2028
Arizona Rules Extend Across Alternative Nicotine Supply Chain, With Licensing From 2028
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has signed HB 4001, bringing alternative nicotine products under a new state regulatory framework that will require maker and distributor licensing from 2028 and ban packaging designs that could appeal to minors.
Regulations
Jun.23
Product | PMI Introduces VEEV inPrime, Bringing an Induction Vaporization Platform to the Next Generation of the VEEV Portfolio
Product | PMI Introduces VEEV inPrime, Bringing an Induction Vaporization Platform to the Next Generation of the VEEV Portfolio
Philip Morris International (PMI) has introduced VEEV inPrime, the next-generation closed-system vape platform featuring the new AdvanceVape Induction System™. Alongside the new induction platform, PMI has redesigned the pods, e-liquid formulations and user interaction experience. According to PMI and official IQOS websites, VEEV inPrime began a phased European rollout between May and June 2026, with products now available in Greece, Estonia, the United Kingdom and Italy.
Jul.14