Malaysia and Thailand May Regulate E-Cigarettes

According to recent reports from reliable Malaysian media, Malaysia may introduce e-cigarette regulations by the end of the year. Although the exact timing remains uncertain, the government’s current stance appears quite proactive.

Although Malaysia’s regulatory policy has long been in a gray area, the country already has a very large user base. While the Malaysian market may seem unclear on the surface, it is in fact the world’s second- or third-largest producer of e-liquid. In addition, domestic vaping manufacturer HCIGAR had already begun laying out its market presence in Malaysia some time ago.
 

It is reported that HCIGAR’s brand akso is currently carrying out overall infrastructure and initial channel deployment work in Malaysia. Relevant information also shows that HCIGAR’s revenue reached RMB 300 million last year, of which Malaysia alone accounted for 26.7% (about RMB 80 million), with monthly product sales exceeding 100,000 units.

On the other hand, there are also unconfirmed reports in China suggesting that RELX’s sales in Malaysia have already exceeded RMB 20 million. Judging from the current market development of these two vaping companies in Malaysia, once e-cigarettes are legalized there, the country is expected to create a new market worth hundreds of billions.

As for Thailand, there are unofficial reports claiming that “Thailand may legalize e-cigarettes in the near future.”

Thailand’s market potential is actually astonishing. Although Thailand is regarded as one of the “least friendly countries in the world for e-cigarette users,” ranking just behind Australia, interviews with local users indicate that vaping has already formed a very large underground market in the country.

At vaping trade shows in China, many wholesalers from Thailand can be seen “selecting products,” and their order volumes are no lower than those of wholesalers from Europe and the United States—quite astonishing in scale. Moreover, Thailand is one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations. Since the start of 2019 alone, inbound visitor numbers have reached 3.47 million. If the news of e-cigarette legalization is true, Thailand could bring substantial growth to the global vaping market.