A 46-year-old woman has been fined RM15,000 after pleading guilty to selling vape products that failed to comply with the labelling and packaging requirements under Malaysia’s tobacco control laws.
Laila Ranis admitted committing the offence at Boss Vape Shop, Homeware in Bandar Baru Keningau at about 11.25am on 21 January 2025 during proceedings before Magistrate Flavian Edward Hendry.
The offence was committed under Section 15(1) of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 and is punishable under Section 15(2)(a)(i) of the same Act, which provides for a maximum fine of RM20,000, imprisonment of up to one year, or both upon conviction.
The Magistrate’s Court sentenced Laila to a RM15,000 fine, with six months’ imprisonment in default of payment. She later settled the fine. The court also ordered that all seized vape products be disposed of by the prosecution within 14 days.
During mitigation, Laila appealed for a lighter sentence. However, prosecuting officer Rals Benjamin Yakod urged the court to impose an appropriate punishment to uphold the objectives of the law and protect public health.
The prosecution argued that vape products with non-compliant packaging and labelling deprive consumers of essential product information and mandatory health warnings, increase potential health risks, complicate enforcement efforts and undermine the government’s goal of ensuring that only products meeting prescribed safety standards are available on the market.
