Malaysia’s Kuching court fines vape retailer USD 4921 over “BEST VALUE FOR MONEY” poster promotion

Key Takeaways

• Location: Kuching, Malaysia

• Decision date: Jan. 19, 2026

• Fine: RM20,000 (about USD 4,921.86)

• Allegation: Oct. 6, 2025 poster promotion at premises with the slogan “BEST VALUE FOR MONEY”

• Separate case: not-guilty plea over outside-visible display; next date Feb. 23, 2026

2Firsts, January 21, 2026

According to the Borneo Post, a vape retail company in Kuching, Malaysia, was fined RM20,000 (about USD 4,921.86) by the Magistrates’ Court on January 19, 2026, after pleading guilty to a charge under Section 9(1) of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852). The company was represented in court by its business premises manager, a 33-year-old man.

Magistrate Ling Hui Chuan imposed the sentence. The report notes Section 9(1) provides for up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine of between RM20,000 and RM100,000 (about USD 4,921.86 to USD 24,609.30), or both upon conviction.

Based on the case facts, the offence was committed on Oct. 6, 2025, when the company promoted smoking products via a poster at its Kuching premises carrying the slogan “BEST VALUE FOR MONEY.”

In mitigation, the company’s representative sought a lighter sentence, citing a first offence and assuring the court it would not recur. Prosecuting officer Mohd Fairos Ibrahim of the Kuching Division Health Office’s Inspectorate and Legal Unit urged a deterrent sentence, submitting that Act 852 prohibits companies or individuals from promoting smoking products, including tobacco alternatives, whether at premises or on social media, as such promotion may encourage public use and purchase. The report also notes the offence is non-compoundable and that the company was not represented by counsel.

In a separate courtroom, another specialty shop company pleaded not guilty to a charge under Section 10(1) of Act 852 for displaying vaping products in a manner visible from outside its shop, before Magistrate Mason Jaro Lenya Barayan. Prosecuting officer Tazudin Murni from the Sarawak Health Department’s Inspectorate and Legal Section applied for a mention date, and the court fixed Feb. 23, 2026 for further proceedings.

Image Source：Borneo Post