Selangor State Of Malaysia Has Ordered The Seizure Of All E-cigarette Advertisements And Is Considering Banning The Sale Of E-cigarettes.

On May 20th, the government of Selangor State in Malaysia has ordered the local council to immediately ban all advertisements related to e-cigarettes throughout the state. The state's public health administrative committee, Jamaria Jamaruddin, stated that the order was made after a coordination meeting she chaired. The state is still considering whether to completely ban the sale of e-cigarettes.
The participants in the meeting included officials from the Selangor Health Department, the Economic Planning Unit, the regional health office, and local government officials. They also expressed concerns about online sales of e-cigarettes, as online sales are still difficult to regulate and are a popular way for young people to access them.
Jamaria cited the 2022 National Health and Incidence Survey, stating: "Among teenage boys aged 13 to 17 in Malaysia, nearly 14.9% are e-cigarette users." She called this figure shocking and said that urgent action is needed.
She said: "In response, the Selangor State Government will hold a follow-up meeting through the Public Health Executive Committee to discuss feasible policy options and then submit final recommendations to the State Administrative Committee for decision-making."
"While awaiting the final decision, the meeting decided that all local authorities in Selangor State must immediately seize and delete any advertisements related to e-cigarette products, whether displayed in physical or digital form. This action complies with the provisions of the Public Health Smoking Product Control Act (Act No. 852) of 2023."
This seizure of e-cigarette advertisements by Selangor State is the latest regulatory action taken by Malaysia against e-cigarettes. Previously, the state of Dengkang announced that e-cigarettes would be banned from sale starting from August 1st this year.