The Ministry of Health of Malaysia has announced that it will strengthen the regulation of vapes, including registration, advertising, packaging and display, with a focus on preventing minors from coming into contact with them. The Minister of Health stated that the regulations are dynamic and will be revised in due course if there is new evidence. In response to the call for a complete ban on sales, the minister said it was within the authority of local governments.
Key points:
- Malaysia’s “Tobacco Products for Public Health Control Act 2024” (Act 852) has become the core framework for the regulation of vapes and traditional tobacco products.
- The Ministry of Health of Malaysia will intensify law enforcement on vape products in aspects such as registration, advertising, packaging and display.
- The Minister of Health stated that the law has a “dynamic adjustment” feature and can be reviewed and revised in the future based on evidence and needs.
- The requirement to ban the sale of vapes falls within the authority of local governments. Currently, there is no such ban at the central level.
Enforcement will cover advertising, packaging and sales
According to Bharian’s report on April 24th, the Ministry of Health of Malaysia (KKM) announced that it will intensify law enforcement and supervision of vapes and tobacco products by the Tobacco Products for Public Health Control Act 2024 (Act 852), with a particular focus on preventing minors from coming into contact with such products.
Health Minister Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad said at the 2024 National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) Nutrition Special release conference that relevant law enforcement will cover multiple links such as product registration, advertising placement, packaging labels and sales displays, and explicitly prohibit the sale to minors.
I must stress that both vapes and traditional tobacco products are strictly regulated by Act 852, aiming to safeguard public health.
In response to the recent call by the Penang Consumers’ Association (CAP) for a complete ban on vape sales. Zulkifli said that such a ban falls within the purview of local and municipal authorities (PBTS) and is not under the jurisdiction of the central level of the Ministry of Health.
The background of CAP’s appeal is a recent social incident: A secondary school student in Pahang was rushed to the hospital after being suspected of developing epilepsy due to the use of vapes, which has drawn public attention.
Regarding the future adaptability of the regulations. Zulkifli emphasized that Act 852, as a “dynamic and living law”, has the possibility of being revised in accordance with emerging evidence and social needs.
- “I am open to re-examining the relevant laws, especially when it comes to the underage group.”
