The Rise of E-cigarette Usage in Malaysia: A Study

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai
May.16.2024
The Rise of E-cigarette Usage in Malaysia: A Study
Malaysia sees a 600% increase in e-cigarette users over 12 years, according to Global Adult Tobacco Survey data.

According to a report by Malaysian media outlet TheStar on May 16, data from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey released in 2023 shows that the number of e-cigarette users in Malaysia has increased by 600% over the past 12 years. The survey also found that the percentage of e-cigarette users in the age group of 15 to 24 years old has increased from 1.1% in 2011 to 8.6% in 2023.

 

In Malaysia, the use of e-cigarettes has sharply increased. According to a study, the usage rate of e-cigarettes in 2023 was 5.8%, compared to just 0.8% in 2011, representing a growth of over 600%.

 

A survey has revealed that overall, 68.1% of adults have heard of e-cigarettes, with 8.9% (10.5% males, 0.8% females) having tried them, and 5.8% currently using them.

 

The data comes from the main results of the "2023 Global Adult Tobacco Survey" and the "2023 National Health and Morbidity Survey of Malaysia," both of which were just released on May 16th. The results show that the cessation and health behaviors among adults who have tried to quit smoking in the past 12 months, as well as those who are currently smoking, have remained consistent. However, the study also found that the number of people exposed to tobacco in the home, workplace, and public transportation has significantly decreased from 2011 to 2023.

 

A report shows that there are 4.8 million adult smokers in Malaysia, with 3.7 million (14.6%) of adults smoking every day. Although the proportion of daily adult smokers has significantly decreased from 2011 to 2023, the survey emphasizes that more efforts must be put into addressing other challenges related to tobacco use, especially in areas such as secondhand smoke exposure, tobacco prices, and the growth of e-cigarette usage.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

American Snuff Expands Manufacturing Hiring as Reynolds American Builds Future-Ready Operations
American Snuff Expands Manufacturing Hiring as Reynolds American Builds Future-Ready Operations
Reynolds American said American Snuff Company will add more than 50 manufacturing roles at its Clarksville, Tennessee facility as part of its wider U.S. manufacturing investment plan. The company said the hiring is one of the latest developments under its plan to invest more than USD 3.2 billion across U.S. operations by 2030.
Mar.27 by 2FIRSTS.ai
UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill Receives Royal Assent, Banning Tobacco Sales to People Born After 2008
UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill Receives Royal Assent, Banning Tobacco Sales to People Born After 2008
The UK government announced on April 29 that the Tobacco and Vapes Bill had received Royal Assent and become law. Under the new law, it is illegal to sell tobacco to anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 2009. The government said the law creates the UK’s first “smoke-free generation” and includes measures to ban the advertising and sponsorship of vapes and nicotine products, as well as powers to restrict packaging, branding and displays designed to appeal to children.
Apr.30 by 2FIRSTS.ai
KT&G Launches “Miix Cigar Collection” for lil Hybrid at Convenience Stores Nationwide
KT&G Launches “Miix Cigar Collection” for lil Hybrid at Convenience Stores Nationwide
KT&G said on April 15 that it will launch “Miix Cigar Collection,” a dedicated stick for its lil Hybrid heated tobacco product, at convenience stores nationwide in South Korea. The company said the product is the first in the Miix series to apply a “Balance Filter” with internal space in the filter and contains 18% cigar leaf to deliver cigar flavor. With the new launch, the Miix lineup for lil Hybrid will expand to 16 products.
Apr.15 by 2FIRSTS.ai
BAT New Zealand Says Illicit Tobacco Trade Drove Nearly 29% Revenue Decline in 2025
BAT New Zealand Says Illicit Tobacco Trade Drove Nearly 29% Revenue Decline in 2025
British American Tobacco New Zealand said the illicit tobacco trade is responsible for its profit halving and revenue falling between the 2024 and 2025 financial years. Financial results filed with the Companies Office show that BAT Holdings (New Zealand) recorded 2025 revenue of NZ$180.7 million, or about US$106.95 million based on the European Central Bank’s April 27, 2026 reference rates, down from NZ$254 million, or about US$150.33 million, in 2024.
Apr.28 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Special Report|Disposable Heated Tobacco? A China Tobacco Patent Reimagines the Heated-Tobacco Stick as a Self-Contained Product
Special Report|Disposable Heated Tobacco? A China Tobacco Patent Reimagines the Heated-Tobacco Stick as a Self-Contained Product
A newly published China Tobacco patent proposes a holder-free heat-not-burn stick that integrates the filter, tobacco substrate, heating element, controller and power source into one cigarette-shaped product. It stands out not just for eliminating the external heating device, but for explicitly highlighting two less common goals in heated tobacco: restoring cigarette-like social sharing and enabling post-use recovery through a recoverable component group.
Innovation
Mar.18
Imperial Brands to Close Langenhagen Cigarette Factory by 2027
Imperial Brands to Close Langenhagen Cigarette Factory by 2027
Imperial Brands said it will gradually close the Reemtsma factory in Langenhagen near Hanover by 2027 after efforts to find a buyer failed to produce a sustainable agreement. The factory has produced cigarettes since 1971 and currently affects around 600 employees. The company said it had examined all realistic options over recent months but did not receive a binding offer from a potential buyer.
Mar.27 by 2FIRSTS.ai