By Timothy S Donahue
Top Takeaways:
- Lobbying criticism: Malaysian anti-tobacco advocates say industry influence continues shaping vape and tobacco policy decisions.
- Tax fight: Advocacy groups claim proposed increases in the tobacco tax were weakened under industry pressure.
- Regulatory push: Health groups are calling for stricter vape controls and stronger separation between industry and government policymaking.
Malaysian tobacco-control advocates are intensifying criticism of industry lobbying, arguing that political pressure and corporate influence continue to weaken stricter nicotine regulation and tobacco tax policies in the country.
Speaking at a media conference on tobacco tax reform hosted by the Social & Economic Research Initiative, Muhammad Sha’ani Abdullah said individuals with ties to the tobacco and vape industries should be excluded from policymaking on tobacco taxes and vape regulation.
“Tobacco and vape industry lobbying continues to influence government policy, weakening public health regulation efforts,” said Sha’ani, who serves as secretary-general of the Malaysian Council for Tobacco Control.
He also called for greater transparency among public officials and policymakers who support industry-friendly positions. According to Sha’ani, policymakers and public figures should disclose “any past or present links to tobacco companies, including funding received by organizations outside government.”
Sha’ani argued that Malaysia’s efforts to implement stronger tobacco-control laws aligned with the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control have repeatedly faced political resistance. He pointed to a proposed standalone tobacco-control law, first discussed in 2010, that was ultimately abandoned despite being completed and submitted to government officials.
On vaping, Sha’ani reiterated support for a full ban on vape products, noting that Malaysia’s Health Ministry had proposed banning them in 2016 before regulators opted for a regulatory approach instead. “We have to put our argument against the industry lobby, so that we can get the 5% per year,” he said, referring to proposed annual tobacco tax increases.
Meanwhile, Roslizawati Md Ali of the Malaysian Women’s Action for Tobacco Control and Health alleged that industry lobbying also influenced recent excise tax decisions. Roslizawati claimed that tobacco industry companies circulated letters to Malaysia’s Finance Ministry in 2023 and 2024 opposing larger tobacco tax hikes proposed by public health groups.
According to Roslizawati, advocacy organizations pushed for cigarette tax increases of 33% to 37%, but the government ultimately implemented only a 2% increase.
