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.
Tobacco Taxation and Prices: The World Health Organization recommends raising tobacco excise taxes so that they account for at least 70 percent of retail prices. Tobacco excise taxes in Malaysia are well below these recommendations.
| SMOKE FREE ENVIRONMENTS COMPLETE SMOKING BAN | |
|---|---|
|
Health-care facilities
Yes
|
Private offices
No
|
|
Primary and secondary schools
Yes
|
Public transport
Yes
|
|
Universities
Yes
|
Restaurants
Yes
|
|
Governmental facilities
Yes
|
Bars and Pubs
No
|
|
Can subnational jurisdictions enact more stringent smoking restrictions?
Yes
|
|
| BANS ON TOBACCO ADVERTISING, PROMOTION, AND SPONSORSHIP | |
|---|---|
|
Domestic TV and radio
Yes
|
Promotional discounts
Yes
|
|
Domestic magazines and newspapers
Yes
|
Non-tobacco products or services with tobacco brand names
Yes
|
|
Outdoor advertising
Yes
|
Tobacco products with non-tobacco brand names
Yes
|
|
Outdoor advertising (e.g., billboards, posters)
Yes
|
Paid placement in media
Yes
|
|
Retail product display
No
|
Financial sponsorship, including corporate social responsibility
Yes
|
|
Internet advertising
Yes
|
Publicity of sponsorships
Yes
|
|
Free distribution
Yes
|
|
| HEALTH WARNINGS ON SMOKED TOBACCO PRODUCTS | |
|---|---|
|
Text warnings describe health impacts
Yes
|
Number of published warnings at any given time
12
|
|
Warnings include a picture or graphic
Yes
|
Warnings required to rotate
Required
|
|
% of principal display areas covered (front and back)
55%
|
Warnings are written in the principal language(s)
Yes
|
|
Front
50%
|
Ban on misleading packaging and labeling
Yes
|
|
Back
60%
|
Health warnings on smokeless tobacco products
Yes
|
| TOBACCO TAXATION AND PRICE | |
|---|---|
| PRICE OF MOST SOLD BRAND, PACK OF 20 CIGARETTES | TAXES ON MOST SOLD BRAND (% OF RETAIL PRICE) |
|
In country currency
17.40
MYR
|
Total taxes
51%
|
|
In US dollars
4.10
USD
|
Total excise
46%
|
Sources:
SF, APS, PL: Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Legal Website. Available at: www.tobaccocontrollaws.org
Tax: WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic, 2021. Available at: www.who.int/tobacco/global_report/en/
Last updated: March 22, 2024