Malaysia's Johor State Reaffirms Stance: Vape Ban Stays, No Sales Permits Issued

Nov.25.2024
Malaysia's Johor State Reaffirms Stance: Vape Ban Stays, No Sales Permits Issued
The Johor state government in Malaysia has decided to maintain its vape ban, in place since 2016, and will not issue permits for vape sales.

According to Berita Harian on November 24th, the Johor state government has decided to continue its ban on e-cigarettes, which has been in place since 2016. They will not issue any sales licenses for e-cigarettes.

 

Johor State Housing and Local Government Chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor stated that the decision has been in effect since 2016 and the 8-year ban includes strict restrictions on e-cigarettes and related products containing nicotine.

 

"Johor continues to enforce the ban on the sale of vapes and electronic cigarettes in the state," he said.

 

On January 1, 2016, at the request of Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar of Johor, the use of e-cigarettes was banned throughout the state and commercial establishments were ordered to cease operations.

 

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad stated on November 19 that the federal government will continue to regulate e-cigarette products through the Tobacco Control Act 2024 (Act 852), which came into effect on October 1. 

 

He mentioned that although the federal government has not imposed a nationwide ban on the sale of e-cigarettes, it will be up to individual state governments to decide on policies, including potentially banning the sale of e-cigarettes through local authorities. (Read more: "Malaysia to Implement Gradual Approach to Vape Regulation, Says Health Minister")

 

Last week, Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah of Pahang state in Malaysia proposed a total ban on the use of e-cigarettes. (Read more: "Penang Consumer Group Pushes for Vape Ban Amid Youth Addiction Concerns")

 

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

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
2Firsts Data | China’s Vape Exports Rise 3.1% in H1 2026 as 6-Methyl Nicotine-Related Products Surge 65.2%
2Firsts Data | China’s Vape Exports Rise 3.1% in H1 2026 as 6-Methyl Nicotine-Related Products Surge 65.2%
China’s vape exports showed resilience in the first half of 2026 after a short-term shock from China’s export rebate adjustment. But customs data points to more than a simple recovery: the structure of growth is changing. Vaping devices and atomization hardware emerged as the strongest growth driver, while nicotine-containing vaping products remained broadly stable. Meanwhile, nicotine substitute-related products represented by 6-methyl nicotine expanded rapidly, becoming a new category to watch for both industry and regulators. After the U.S. market went through a cycle of shortages, replenishment and inventory rebuilding in 2025, China’s vape supply chain is entering a new phase of reallocation.
Special Report
Jul.20
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
Reuters: Shopify May Ban All Vape Sales This Week Amid Illegal Market Crackdown
Reuters: Shopify May Ban All Vape Sales This Week Amid Illegal Market Crackdown
Reuters reported that Shopify may ban all vape products from its platform as soon as this week, signaling that U.S. enforcement against the illegal vape market is expanding from retailers and importers to e-commerce platforms and payment networks.
MarketBAT
Jun.23 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Opinion | As EU Reviews Tobacco Rules, Experts Warn Against Overlooking Smokers’ Alternatives
Opinion | As EU Reviews Tobacco Rules, Experts Warn Against Overlooking Smokers’ Alternatives
As the European Commission reviews its tobacco and advertising rules, two experts who provided written comments to 2Firsts argue that future EU policy should not overlook adult smokers’ alternatives. Dr Garrett McGovern and Dr Carmen Escrig say regulators should weigh relative risk, adult switching, flavours, consumer behaviour and scientific uncertainty alongside youth protection.
Industry Insight
Jun.01
Supreme Vape Revenue Rises 15% Despite UK Disposable Vape Ban
Supreme Vape Revenue Rises 15% Despite UK Disposable Vape Ban
UK consumer goods group Supreme said its vaping revenue rose 15% to £148.1 million in the year to March 31, 2026, despite the UK disposable vape ban taking effect during the period, while the company identified the Vaping Products Duty due in October as the next major industry milestone.
Regulations
Jul.03 by 2Firsts Perspectives