Malaysia urged to strengthen tobacco licensing and enforcement
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's top tobacco control group is urging local authorities to step up checks on licensed businesses selling tobacco products.
Backed by the Local Government Act 1976, the Malaysian Council for Tobacco Control (MCTC) said local councils must enforce business compliance with regulations set by national agencies, including the Health Ministry and the National Kenaf and Tobacco Board (LKTN).
MCTC president Dr M. Murallitharan said that since 2022, all tobacco retailers in Malaysia are required to be licensed by LKTN and to display the permit prominently as part of stricter measures to curb illicit sales.
"This measure is crucial to curb the sale of illicit tobacco products that have disrupted the legal market and caused significant economic losses," he said in a statement.
MCTC is a non-governmental coalition of health professionals and public health advocates working to promote tobacco control policies, support enforcement, and protect young people from tobacco and nicotine products.
Dr Murallitharan also urged local authorities to enforce regulations, including mandatory "No Smoking" signs, a ban on displaying smoking products at sales counters, and restrictions on marketing to minors.
Councils must strengthen enforcement by making public health rules a core condition of business licences, helping to reduce overlap with other agencies, he said.
Dr Murallitharan also said all local councils should take proactive steps to review and tighten their licensing terms, incorporating relevant legal and regulatory requirements to support national efforts to protect consumers and public health.
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