Ministry ponders legal action after nicotine exemption quashed
The Malaysian health ministry is considering legal action after a High Court ruling invalidated the government's decision to exempt liquid and gel nicotine from the poisons list.Summary
The Malaysian health ministry is consulting the Attorney-General’s Chambers to determine its next steps after a High Court ruling quashed a 2023 government decision to remove liquid and gel nicotine from the poisons list. The court ruled that the exemption was unlawful and irrational because it was made without proper consultation with the Poisons Board. Public health groups had opposed the exemption, arguing it would make nicotine vape products easier to sell, while the government claimed the move was necessary to bring the vape industry out of the black market for monitoring and taxation. The ministry remains committed to strengthening tobacco and smoking product controls to protect children and young people. Former health minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa confirmed she had been informed of the ministry's intention to appeal against the ruling.
(Source：Free Malaysia Today)
