WAWASANEX, a Malaysian public policy start-up, has urged the Health Ministry (MOH) to make publicly accessible the registry of legally registered cigarette brands maintained under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024.
The call comes as the Royal Malaysian Customs Department recorded RM1.30 bil worth of illicit goods seizures in 1H 2026, a 22% surge from 2025 with illicit cigarettes accounting for the most cases.
However, Wawasanex’s survey conducted in May 2026 found that illegal cigarettes remain widely available, highlighting the need for stronger public awareness of legally registered products.
Under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024, all tobacco products must be registered with the Health director-general of who is required to maintain a registry of approved products.
Given that MOH already provides public verification platforms for registered pharmaceutical and cosmetic products, Wawasanex believes a similar approach for tobacco products would give consumers and retailers a reliable reference point to distinguish legal products from illegal ones.
“Our request is straightforward: make the existing registry of legally registered cigarette brands publicly accessible,” justified Wawasanex’s co-founder and creative analytics director Dini Nurhani.
Consumers and legitimate retailers need an official reference to know whether a product is legal.
“The registry already exists. Making it available online requires minimal cost and no new legislation. We have written to MOH and have yet to receive a response but we believe this is a practical measure that deserves consideration.
Editor’s Note: Wawasanex conducts independent research and analysis across policy, economic and consumer market domains by providing data-driven insights to support informed public discourse and policy development.
Wawasanex’s nationwide poll in May 2026 found that 99% of respondents described illegal cigarettes as easy or very easy to obtain while 68.8% identified a foreign national as the seller.
A recent Utusan Malaysia investigation found contraband cigarettes remain readily available at neighbourhood sundry shops. Despite on-going enforcement to address availability, consumers and retailers still have no official way to verify whether a cigarette brand is legally registered.
“Enforcement actions can remove illegal products and sellers, but consumers also need the right information at the point of purchase. Without a way to verify legal products, illegal cigarettes will continue to circulate alongside legitimate ones,” asserted Dini.
“When 99% of respondents say illegal cigarettes remain easy to obtain, it shows there is a gap that enforcement alone cannot close. Consumers need a simple and accessible way to identify legal products.”
More broadly, the Wawasanex poll also found that 87% of respondents support stronger legal penalties against parties involved in the illicit cigarette trade while 43% support publicly naming businesses found selling illegal products.
“The public wants stronger accountability but accountability must also be supported by transparency,” insisted Dini.
“Malaysia already has the legal framework and the registry. Making approved cigarette brands publicly available is a practical step that can protect legitimate businesses, support informed consumer choices and reduce the space for illegal operators to operate.” – Aug 8, 2026
Main image credit: Bernama
