The long road to Malaysia’s nicotine victory

Malaysia's journey to a nicotine victory has been anything but straightforward, with no single hero or villain driving the cause. The struggle has spanned four decades, with various individuals and organizations working together on numerous fronts. The High Court's recent judgment, which ruled that the 2023 exemption of liquid and gel nicotine from the Poisons List was irrational, marks a significant milestone in the ongoing battle against nicotine addiction.

However, the road to this decision was fraught with challenges, requiring the combined efforts of civil society, lawyers, and government officials. The process involved numerous attempts at engagement, legal challenges, and policy decisions, each contributing to the eventual success. The narrative highlights the importance of collective action, as public health victories often result from the cumulative efforts of many stakeholders rather than a single entity.