Malaysia’s Perlis State to Ban E-Cigarette Sales From August, Revoke Licenses of Repeat Offenders in September

Key points:

·The e-cigarette sales ban in Malaysia's Perak state will take effect on August 1, with no extension, and strict measures, including revoking licenses, will be taken against violators starting September 1. 

·The period from July 18 to 31 is designated as a publicity period, during which the city council will conduct inspections and issue fines in collaboration with the police and health department. 

·The city council does not directly issue e-cigarette shop licenses, so many related businesses operate without a license or under other licenses. The compliance status has been preliminarily verified. 

·The ban stems from a ruling by the Perak State Religious Council in 2022 deeming e-cigarettes as "forbidden," which was announced by the state minister on May 14.

【2Firsts News Flash】According to a report by New Straits Time on July 22, Affendi Rajini Kanth, the chairman of the Kangar Municipal Council in Perlis, Malaysia, stated that the ban on the sale of e-cigarettes and tobacco products in the state will take effect on August 1, with no plans for extension.

He pointed out that strict enforcement measures, including revocation of business licenses, will be implemented starting on September 1 for establishments that do not comply with regulations.

“There will be no extension. This decision has already been communicated to the relevant parties, and operators have had sufficient time to make necessary adjustments.”

He stated.

Mayor Afendi announced that the city council will carry out the preliminary publicity phase from July 18 to 31, including distributing notices to businesses, conducting supervision activities, and issuing public announcements.

“On August 1st, the ban on the sale of e-cigarettes in operating premises will officially go into effect. Throughout the month of August, the Ganmawan City Council will conduct joint operations with law enforcement agencies such as the police and the Department of Health.”

He stated that these actions will include conducting inspections of targeted areas and issuing fines.

Starting from September 1st, stricter measures will be taken against repeat offenders, including revoking licenses.

He added.

Afeni also clarified that the city council has never directly issued licenses to e-cigarette stores. These businesses actually operate under a general license for electronic appliances.

“Out of the 65 stores licensed in this category, only 4 were found to be selling e-cigarette products, with 3 of them having expired licenses. Upon verification with the Department of Health, it was reported that around 30 establishments in Ganmawan City are selling e-cigarettes without obtaining a license from the Ganmawan City Council.”

He added.

On May 14, the Glass City State Minister, Mohd Shukri Ramli, announced the impending ban, citing a ruling from the Glass City State Islamic Religious Council in 2022. The ruling declared e-cigarettes as "haram" or forbidden.