Malaysia's E-Cigarette Industry Faces Pressure and Losses

Oct.17.2022
Malaysia's E-Cigarette Industry Faces Pressure and Losses
Malaysian authorities conduct raids on e-cigarette businesses, causing confusion and loss of revenue. Industry supports regulation, not restrictions.

The Secretary of the Malaysian Vape Chamber of Commerce (MVCC), Rosli, has stated that these actions are meant to put pressure on the industry because it recently disagreed with the Health Ministry's proposal to regulate electronic cigarettes in the same way as traditional cigarettes. Raids and confiscations have affected many small and medium-sized e-cigarette companies in the Klang Valley, resulting in millions of dollars in revenue losses.


The Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC) is currently finalizing the proposed Generation End Game (GEG) bill. "The industry supports the government's efforts to establish regulations for the e-cigarette industry, and we welcome PSSC's scrutiny and improvement of the bill," said Rosly.


He added, "Regulation is something that the industry has been waiting for for many years. It just needs improvement, especially with regard to certain important projects for the future of the e-cigarette industry.


Additionally, Rizani Zakaria, the president of the Malaysian Vaping Industry Advocacy (MVIA), has expressed confusion and concern over recent crackdowns by authorities that contradict earlier government announcements, resulting in many suffering losses. "The proposed bill is currently delayed as it requires further refinement and discussion according to the Health Minister's announcement. Therefore, do not plunder or seize from the vaping industry, causing harm to entrepreneurs who may become victims and bear the losses," he said.


According to Rizani, conducting surprise visits on industries willing to accept regulation would only affect that particular industry. "The Ministry of Health should issue regulatory guidelines while waiting for the reintroduction of this bill. This will enable the industry to formulate regulatory guidelines and prepare for the implementation of the legislative process.


This bill disregards science and supports safer nicotine alternatives.


The Federation of Private Medical Practitioners' Associations Malaysia (FPMPAM) has recently opposed proposed restrictions on electronic cigarettes, stating that they will hinder efforts to reduce tobacco harm.


The FPMPAM has stated that the proposed bill ignores overwhelming scientific evidence and supports the benefits of safer nicotine alternatives in reducing harm caused by tobacco. The group has also referenced the advice of the Royal College of Physicians in the UK, which has long recommended the use of these products for quitting smoking and/or reducing harm.


The medical association has criticized the government's proposal to ban the promotion of electronic cigarettes or vaping as a harm-reduction alternative to smoking. Dr. Stephen Chow, the president of FPMPAM, stated in a recent declaration that "the bill appears to completely ignore the overwhelming scientific data that THR can work within an appropriate regulatory framework.


In fact, a recent report from the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) reiterated that electronic cigarettes seem to be effective as a smoking cessation tool for smokers. "It is necessary to develop regulations to reduce the direct and indirect adverse effects of electronic cigarette use, but these regulations should not significantly inhibit smokers from developing and using harm reduction products.


Statement:


This article is compiled based on third-party information and is intended for industry communication and learning purposes only.


This article does not represent the viewpoint of 2FIRSTS, and 2FIRSTS cannot confirm the authenticity or accuracy of the article's contents. The compilation of this article is solely for industry communication and research purposes.


Due to limitations in our translation ability, this article may not convey the same meaning as the original. Please refer to the original text for accuracy.


When it comes to domestic issues, matters concerning Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and foreign affairs, 2FIRSTS maintains complete alignment with the Chinese government.


The copyright of the compiled information belongs to the original media and authors. If there is any infringement, please contact us to delete it.



Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

Earnings Analysis | CTIHK H1 2026 Revenue Falls 26.9% as Core Businesses Diverge and New Growth Drivers Remain to Be Proven
Earnings Analysis | CTIHK H1 2026 Revenue Falls 26.9% as Core Businesses Diverge and New Growth Drivers Remain to Be Proven
China Tobacco International (HK) reported a 26.9% revenue decline in H1 2026, while gross profit fell only 9.5%, revealing sharp divergence across its businesses. Tobacco leaf imports contracted, while leaf exports and Brazil operations expanded strongly. Cigarette exports faced China duty-free market transition, and new tobacco products remained small. Meanwhile, CTIHK continues to strengthen its role as an investment and financing platform, though major external deals have yet to emerge. 2Firsts examines what these shifts mean for its next growth drivers.
Capital Markets
Aug.24
Germany Seizes 56 Pallets of Illegal Vapes, Probe Estimates €1.8 Million Tax Loss
Germany Seizes 56 Pallets of Illegal Vapes, Probe Estimates €1.8 Million Tax Loss
German authorities have seized dozens of pallets of illegal disposable vapes in a criminal investigation, with the products estimated to have caused at least €1.8 million in tax losses. The case has also raised concerns over cross-border supply chains linked to unauthorized nicotine products entering the European market.
Jul.14
Switzerland Tightens Vape Checks as Only 3 of 32 Tested Products Meet New Tobacco Rules
Switzerland Tightens Vape Checks as Only 3 of 32 Tested Products Meet New Tobacco Rules
According to Swiss media outlet Blick, local authorities are strengthening compliance checks on vape products, nicotine pouches and other tobacco-related products following the implementation of Switzerland’s revised Tobacco Products Act. A Basel laboratory tested 32 disposable vapes and e-liquids, with only three meeting regulatory requirements and 21 products banned from sale. Swiss authorities are also expanding retail inspections, laboratory testing and youth purchase checks to enforce the new tobacco and nicotine product rules.
Aug.12
PMI Oral Products Chief Says Lack of Rules May Push Nicotine Pouch Market Into Illicit Trade
PMI Oral Products Chief Says Lack of Rules May Push Nicotine Pouch Market Into Illicit Trade
Nick Ricketts, President of Oral Products at Philip Morris International (PMI), told Logos Press that nicotine pouches should be brought under clear regulatory frameworks covering nicotine limits, flavor rules, age verification, sales controls and marketing standards, arguing that the absence of clear rules or blanket bans may push consumer demand into illegal or semi-legal channels.
Jul.06
Product | JTI Expands Ploom Ecosystem as LYO Tobacco-Free Nicotine Sticks Roll Out Across Europe
Product | JTI Expands Ploom Ecosystem as LYO Tobacco-Free Nicotine Sticks Roll Out Across Europe
Japan Tobacco International (JTI) is expanding its Ploom heated product ecosystem with LYO tobacco-free nicotine sticks. Designed specifically for Ploom devices, LYO contains nicotine but no tobacco. Public information shows that the product has gradually entered several European markets, including Spain, Portugal and Germany, and was officially introduced in Romania in July 2026. The launch highlights JTI’s efforts to explore broader nicotine consumable formats beyond traditional tobacco-based sticks.
JTI
Jul.21 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Italian Court Ends Six-Year Cigarette Excise Dispute, Rejecting Damages Claim
Italian Court Ends Six-Year Cigarette Excise Dispute, Rejecting Damages Claim
Italy’s Lazio Regional Administrative Court has dismissed an appeal by Italian Tobacco Manufacturing and Manifattura Italiana Tabacco over the cigarette excise calculation mechanism, upholding the minimum tax burden rules and excluding compensation for smaller tobacco operators.
News
Jun.26 by 2Firsts Perspectives