MOH enforces smoking rules to protect public health
PUTRAJAYA: The Ministry of Health (MOH) today reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring strict enforcement and control on the contents and emissions of all types of smoking products to safeguard public health and safety.
In a statement today, MOH clarified that the importation, manufacturing and distribution of e-cigarette liquids in the local market are strictly regulated under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 [Act 852]
The ministry's Disease Control Division stated that the issuance of interim manufacturing licences for such devices falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), through the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) under the Industrial Coordination Act 1975 and local authority by-laws.
MOH noted that under Section 2 of Act 852 and its accompanying regulations and orders, e-cigarette liquids are defined as smoking products and therefore strictly regulated.
The ministry also clarified that multiple government agencies are involved in regulating the e-cigarette industry in Malaysia, including the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, which oversees import controls under the Customs (Prohibition of Imports) Order 2008.
In addition, safety standard testing for devices is conducted by SIRIM and enforced under the Trade Descriptions (Certification and Marking of Electronic Cigarette Devices) Order 2022, under the Trade Descriptions Act 2011, by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living.
It stated that any decision regarding the import, manufacturing and distribution of e-cigarette liquids is a collective decision made by all relevant government agencies.
MOH issued the clarification following media reports on May 28 that U.S.-based vape and e-cigarette company Ispire Technology Inc. had been granted a temporary licence to operate in Senai, Johor.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
6 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Tobacco ban to hit sales, footfall at convenience stores, mini-marts
KUALA LUMPUR: Convenience store chains and mini-marts across Malaysia are bracing for a significant hit from the impending ban on the open display of tobacco products, a regulatory move that could shake up revenue models heavily reliant on tobacco sales. The Ministry of Health announced the tobacco display ban in October 2024, initially set for April 1, 2025, but now phased with full enforcement by Oct 1, 2025. Retailers must store tobacco and vape products in closed cabinets, not openly. Analysts caution that major players like 7-Eleven Malaysia Holdings Bhd (SEM), which generates about 33 per cent of its total revenue from tobacco products, are particularly vulnerable. Other chains like KK Super Mart and MyNews are also expected to be affected, though to varying degrees depending on their reliance on tobacco sales. In contrast, 99 Speedmart may be less impacted given its stronger emphasis on household essentials and grocery items. "Tobacco purchases frequently trigger impulse buys of snacks, beverages, and other essentials. With the display ban, these secondary sales could decline, potentially reducing both store traffic and basket size," said an analyst who requested anonymity. He added that convenience retailers will need to revamp their shelving layouts and possibly retrain staff, incurring compliance costs that could weigh heavily on smaller chains with fewer resources. CIMB Securities Sdn Bhd said that despite a temporary reprieve, it warns that companies like SEM are not out of the woods. "Although the delay offers SEM some near-term reprieve, the eventual enforcement of the ban may weigh on its top-line performance," CIMB cautioned in a research note, citing an expected decline in tobacco-related sales. CIMB said that SEM continues to face mounting regulatory and cost challenges, despite reporting steady revenue growth for the first quarter of 2025 (Q1 2025). SEM reported a 10.4 per cent year-on-year (YoY) increase in revenue for Q1 2025, largely driven by 7.1 per cent same-store sales growth. The growth was attributed to a low base effect from Q1 2024, longer operating hours, and an accelerated rollout of the modern 7-Café format. However, rising costs are eroding gains. The Feb 1, 2025, nationwide minimum wage hike to RM1,700 and longer business hours pushed SEM's operating expenses up by 10.2 per cent YoY. As a result, EBITDA margin remained flat at 11.8 per cent, while core net profit edged up just 0.5 per cent YoY. Looking ahead, CIMB expects QoQ earnings improvement in Q2 2025, helped by post-Ramadan consumer spending and continued expansion of 7-Café outlets. Margins are forecast to stay steady, supported by higher-margin fresh food sales and improved operating leverage. "We understand that SEM remains committed to its store opening target (of 100 new outlets this year) and will be accelerating its store rollout in subsequent quarters to meet its target by end-Dec 2025," it said. Despite the positive growth trajectory, CIMB maintains a 'Reduce' rating on the stock, with a target price of RM1.63, citing long-term challenges such as intensifying competition in the convenience retail space and mounting cost pressures. SEM's share price has remained largely unchanged in 2025, fluctuating between RM1.96 and RM2.00, with a brief dip to RM1.90 in late January. Notable shareholders include Classic Union Group Ltd (26.3 per cent), Berjaya Group founder Tan Sri Vincent Tan Chee Yioun (22.4 per cent), and PERKESO (4.6 per cent), with public investors holding 14 per cent.
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Malay Mail
Fahmi says MCMC to monitor online vape sales on Facebook, WhatsApp amid rising health concerns
PUTRAJAYA, June 5 — The Communications Ministry, through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), will monitor online sales of vape and e-cigarette products following increased bans on vape use in several states and concerns over the presence of synthetic substances in these products. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the issue was raised during today's Cabinet meeting and is being reviewed by the Health Ministry (MoH). 'At the same time, I will direct MCMC to examine the online sale of such products. We have found that these sales are largely conducted on platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp. 'Any enforcement action will certainly involve the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN),' he told a weekly press conference here today. Fahmi said while vape-related issues fall under the Health Ministry's jurisdiction, the Communications Ministry will monitor the use of social media as a sales platform, particularly for e-cigarette products. 'Insya-Allah, MCMC will prepare a report on this matter, and the Communications Ministry will present it to the Cabinet for further discussion,' he said. He also reaffirmed the Communications Ministry's commitment to working closely with MoH and KPDN to ensure a safer internet environment, particularly for children and families, by addressing issues such as vape and e-cigarette advertisements. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Penang customs seizes vape devices, liquid worth RM5.17mil
State customs director Rohaizad Ali said this marked the first vape-related seizure in Penang this year that had led to arrests. (Bernama pic) BUTTERWORTH : The Penang customs department seized 86,086 electronic cigarette or vape devices and 996.5 litres of vape liquid worth RM5.17 million, including taxes, in two separate raids in April. State customs director Rohaizad Ali said the raids, at the North Butterworth container terminal (NBCT) and Port Klang, also led to the arrests of three men, including a Chinese national. He said the first raid took place at 1.15pm on April 3, when the enforcement division's operations unit inspected a container that had arrived at NBCT from China. 'The inspection uncovered 14,200 units of electronic cigarette devices and 210 bottles of vape liquid that were undeclared during import, alongside other merchandise. The total estimated value of the goods was RM1.33 million, with duties amounting to RM205,400. 'A local man acting as an agent and a Chinese national who claimed to be the exporter were arrested. This marks the first vape-related seizure in Penang this year that has led to arrests,' he said in a press conference at the Bagan Jermal enforcement storage facility today. Rohaizad said the inspection found that the container had been declared as carrying plastic goods, but the vape devices and liquid were hidden among other items and not declared. In a separate raid at 11am on April 10, authorities seized 71,886 electronic cigarette devices and 786.5 litres of vape liquid worth RM3.64 million, including taxes, following the inspection of another container from China, this time at Port Klang. A local man in his 40s who acted as an agent was arrested in connection with the case. 'The container was declared to contain belts and wallets, but the inspection uncovered undeclared vape devices and liquids mixed with the declared items,' he said. Further investigations are ongoing for both cases under Section 133(1)(a) of the Customs Act 1967.
