Malaysia medical group seeks clarity on nicotine vape legality

Medical Mythbusters Malaysia (M3) has called on the Malaysian government to clarify the legal status of liquid nicotine products following a High Court ruling. The court nullified a 2023 exemption that removed liquid nicotine from the Poisons List, labeling the exemption “irrational” and unlawful due to a lack of consultation with the Poisons Board.

M3 is seeking guidance on whether existing nicotine products are now illegal to sell, if stocks must be recalled, and what compliance timelines apply to traders. The group also raised questions regarding the validity of more than RM354 million in vape excise duties collected since 2023, questioning if the government will be required to issue refunds if the tax collection is deemed invalid.

While M3 welcomed the decision to restore nicotine to its previous status under the Poisons Act 1952—which restricts dispensing to licensed pharmacists or medical practitioners—the group noted that the ruling is not a complete policy solution. They have requested clear enforcement instructions for the reclassification of liquid nicotine as a controlled poison at the retail level.