Malaysia

Malaysia became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on December 15, 2005.

Smoke Free Places

Smoking is prohibited on public transportation. Smoking is prohibited in specified public places and workplaces listed in the regulations including, among others, in restaurants, workplaces with a centralized air-conditioning system; health, education, government and cultural facilities; and indoor stadiums. Smoking is permitted in pubs, discotheques, nightclubs, casinos, and non-air-conditioned public transport terminals. Sub-national jurisdictions may enact smoke free laws that are more stringent than the national law.

Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship

Virtually all forms of tobacco advertising and promotion are prohibited. However, due to the lack of definition of “tobacco promotion” in the law, some forms of tobacco promotion may not be covered under the ban. All forms of tobacco sponsorship are prohibited.

Tobacco Packaging and Labeling

Rotating combined picture and text health warnings are required to occupy 50 percent of the front and 60 percent of the back of unit packages of cigarettes and cartons of all tobacco products. The text of the warning is in Malay on the front panel and English on the back panel. Rotating combined picture health warnings are required to occupy 60 percent of the front of unit packages of tobacco products other than cigarettes. Misleading packaging and labeling, including terms such as “light” and “low tar” and other signs, is prohibited.

Cigarette Contents and Disclosures

The law does not grant the authority to regulate the contents of cigarettes. The law does not require that manufacturers and importers disclose to government authorities information on the contents and emissions of their products.

Sales Restrictions

The law prohibits the sale of tobacco products via vending machines, the internet, small packets of cigarettes, and single cigarettes. There are no restrictions on the sale of tobacco products based on location. The sale of tobacco products is prohibited to persons under the age of 18.

Roadmap to Tobacco Control Legislation

In Malaysia, tobacco control is regulated under the Food Act of 1983. The Control of Tobacco Product Regulations 2004 were issued under the Food Act of 1983 and regulate, among other things, smoke free environments; tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship; and tobacco packaging and labeling. The 2004 Regulations have been amended several times, including: (1) Control of Tobacco Product (Amendment) Regulations 2008; (2) Control of Tobacco Product (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2009; (3) Control of Tobacco Product (Amendment) Regulations 2010; (4) Control of Tobacco Product (Amendment) Regulations 2011; (5) Control of Tobacco Product (Amendment) Regulations 2012; (6) Control of Tobacco Product (Amendment) Regulations 2013; (7) Control of Tobacco Product (Amendment) Regulations 2014; (8) Control of Tobacco Product (Amendment) Regulations 2015; (9) Control of Tobacco Product (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2015; (10) Control of Tobacco Product (Amendment) Regulations 2017; (11) Control of Tobacco Product (Amendment) Regulations 2018; (12) Control of Tobacco Product (Amendment) Regulation 2020; and (13) Control of Tobacco Product (Amendment) Regulation 2021.

In addition, five notices - Declaration of Non-Smoking Area 2011, Declaration of Non-Smoking Area 2012, Declaration of Non-Smoking Area 2014 (P.U.(B)312), Declaration of Non-Smoking Area 2012 (P.U.(B)313), and Declaration of Non-Smoking Area 2015 - have been issued by the Minister of Health declaring specified additional buildings and places as smoke free.

Review Status

This country’s legal measures were reviewed by our legal staff in consultation with in-country lawyers or tobacco control experts.