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Smoking, vaping, HTP, NRT and snus in Malaysia

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  2. Global Smoking and Tobacco Harm Reduction Database
  3. Smoking, vaping, HTP, NRT and snus in Malaysia
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Malaysia Flag
Cigarettes
Traditional Smokeless
HTP
E-cigarettes
Snus
Pouches
NRT
Malaysia Background
Profile
Malaysia Flag
Cigarettes
Traditional Smokeless
HTP
E-cigarettes
Snus
Pouches
NRT

20.9% of the adult population are current smokers

There are approximately 5.2 million current smokers in Malaysia

40.8% of men are current smokers but only 0.5% of women

Country profile
Data sourced: 2024.   Page updated: 2025-01-07

Smoking in Malaysia

There has been a downwards trend in current smoking prevalence in the general population in Malaysia. Smoking prevalence was 29% in 2000 and declined to 22% in 2015, with a further drop to 19% projected by 2025. For men the prevalence decreased from 54% in 2000 to 44% in 2015, with a further decrease to 38% projected by 2025. For women a low prevalence of 3% in 2000 decreased to 1% in 2015, and is projected to decrease further to 0.5% by 2025. The WHO published prevalence trend estimates in tobacco smoking, as shown here, in their 2018 2nd edition report, which show slightly different smoking prevalence to the WHO country profiles. Data for the estimates were obtained from WHO databases. The trend lines are projections, not predictions, of future attainment. A projection indicates a likely endpoint if the country maintains its tobacco control efforts at the same level that it has implemented them to date. Therefore the impact of recent interventions could alter the expected endpoint shown in the projection. While the methods of estimation used in the first and second editions of the WHO report are the same, the volume of data available for the second edition is larger i.e. 200 more national surveys. The results presented are therefore more robust.

24,106

Deaths

24106 people in Malaysia die from tobacco smoking-related diseases each year.

1.6 million €

Market size of NRT.

Estimated NRT market size is 1.6 million €.

Details & datasheet on smoking in Malaysia

Nicotine Vaping Devices

in Malaysia

In Malaysia, vaping devices are technically regulated as electrical appliances. As such, if sold with non-nicotine e-liquids, they can be sold in vape shops. Nicotine-containing e-liquids are classified as a poison (Poisons Act and Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations, 1952) and can only be sold as medicinal products by licensed pharmacies or registered medical practitioners. However, different states have individual laws and restrictions that do not always align with national policy.

Details & datasheet on vaping in Malaysia

Heated Tobacco Products

in Malaysia

Heated tobacco products are regulated under the Control of Tobacco Product Regulation (Amendment) 2015, whereby smoking is defined as inhaling and expelling the smoke or vapor of any tobacco product, and this includes holding or having control over any ignited, heated or vaporised tobacco product. A call has been made to Putrajaya (the Malaysian Government offices), by tobacco control activists, for heated tobacco product refills to be treated similarly to tobacco products in terms of tax, packaging, health warnings, age restrictions, and use in public places.

Details & datasheet on HTP in Malaysia

Nicotine Replacement Therapy

in Malaysia

In Malaysia it is legal to purchase nicotine without using NRT prescription.

Details & datasheet on NRT in Malaysia

Snus

in Malaysia

Used in Scandinavia for more than 200 years, snus is providing smokers in Sweden and Norway with an alternative to combustible cigarettes. Find out what it is, and why it is considered a safer nicotine product in our briefing paper.

Details & datasheet on snus in Malaysia

Pouches

in Malaysia

Nicotine pouches are a relatively new product which can provide users of high-risk tobacco with an alternative that poses fewer risks to their health. Read more about nicotine pouches in our briefing paper

Details & datasheet on pouches in Malaysia

Top Stories from Malaysia

July 04, 2025 by thevibes.com

Story

Strengthen borders, ban vape nationwide, urges Sultan Abdullah

Sultan of Pahang urges Malaysia to strengthen borders against drug trafficking and supports a …

Regions: Asia Malaysia

June 27, 2025 by galencentre.org

Story

WHO Defends Malaysia’s Anti-Tobacco Award Despite Nicotine Vape Manufacturing Licence

WHO defended awarding Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad despite Malaysia granting a nicotine vape license, …

Regions: Asia Malaysia

June 03, 2025 by thestar.com.my

Story

E-cigarette liquids legal but strictly regulated, says Health Ministry

E-cigarette liquids in Malaysia are regulated under Act 852 by multiple government agencies, including …

Regions: Asia Malaysia

June 02, 2025 by galencentre.org

Story

MOH Confirms Nicotine Manufacturing Licence For US-Based Vape Company

The Ministry of Health (MOH) confirmed a foreign vape company received a nicotine manufacturing …

Regions: Asia Malaysia

May 12, 2025 by nst.com.my

Story

No watchdog, more risk: Vape misuse soars amid regulatory void

The lack of a regulatory body in Malaysia to oversee vape product quality has …

Regions: Asia Malaysia

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The GSTHR database is updated regularly by our team. However, please be aware that the information we provide does not constitute legal advice. We cannot guarantee that the information is up to date or accurate, as the regulatory status of different product categories can change at short notice and with little publicity. If you wish to check the legal status of use or possession of any safer nicotine product in a specific country or region, you should verify the information independently. If you have reason to think that the information supplied on the GSTHR is inaccurate, please contact us with details and any references and we will rectify any errors.
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