Key points:
·The Terengganu state government in Malaysia has decided to ban the sale of e-cigarettes starting in August 2025 in order to protect public health, especially the younger generation.
·The regulations for business licenses will be strengthened, and any businesses continuing to sell e-cigarettes will face legal sanctions.
·The government is providing training and new business opportunities to e-cigarette industry stakeholders affected by regulations.
According to the Malaysian national news agency (BERNAMA), Datuk Wan Sukairi Wan Abdullah, chairman of the local government, housing, and health committee in Terengganu state, announced that the state executive council has decided to ban the sale of e-cigarette products starting in August 2025.
This decision is seen as a proactive measure by the state government to curb the negative impact of e-cigarettes on public health, especially among the younger generation. The state government will maintain current policies and not approve any commercial premises for the sale of e-cigarette products, in accordance with existing regulations enforced by all local authorities in Terengganu. To ensure a comprehensive ban on the sale of e-cigarettes, requirements for commercial licenses will be further enhanced.
Wan Sukairi stated that businesses continuing to sell e-cigarettes after the ban takes effect will face severe penalties under the Local Government Act 171 of 1976, including fines, closures, and court prosecution. In a show of the government's firm stance, the Terengganu government has decided not to accept any sponsorships from e-cigarette manufacturers or distributors.
Wan Sukai said that there will be a three-month transition period from May 1 to July 31, 2025, before the full implementation of enforcement activities on August 1, 2025. This period will include regulations related to e-cigarette business advertisements.
Currently, the Malaysian government has not completely banned e-cigarettes. However, in December 2015, Sultan Ibrahim of Johor issued a decree to completely ban the sale of e-cigarettes in the state, with the decree officially implemented in 2016, making Johor the first state in Malaysia to ban the sale of e-cigarettes. The Kelantan state government then followed suit and from January 1, 2016, stopped issuing e-cigarette sales licenses in order to gradually enforce a complete ban on e-cigarettes. These three states collectively make up 21% of Malaysia's total population.
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