Nicotine Patches And Gum Can Now Be Sold Over-The-Counter In Malaysia

The Health Ministry has categorised nicotine as non-poisons so those who want to quit smoking can use nicotine patches or gums to manage withdrawal symptoms.

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In order to make it easier for people to stop smoking, the Health Ministry has taken steps to categorise nicotine replacement products as non-poisons so that people can gain better access to them.

According to Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, this move was done by granting an exemption to nicotine under the Poisons Act 1952 for products in the form of patches or gum registered under the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984.

The exemption comes into force starting on 6 October, in accordance with the gazettement of the Poisons (Amendment of Poisons List) Order 2022 on 5 October 2022.

In other words, nicotine patches or gums, which are used as aids to quit smoking, will be easier to purchase through over-the-counter, including at retail or convenience stores.

Nicotine patch helps with smoking withdrawal symptoms. Image for illustration purposes.

The practice of using nicotine patches or gums to manage smoking withdrawal symptoms has been implemented in many countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia.

Using nicotine patches or gums is found to have fewer harmful effects than smoking. Hopefully, this exemption will motivate and help those who intend to gradually quit smoking.

The exemption lifted for nicotine is part of the Ministry’s efforts and plans under the Tobacco and Smoking Control Bill 2022 aka the tobacco generational endgame (GEG) law.

The Ministry has presented the Bill to regulate the cigarette industry and smoking activities for the public’s benefit.

The GEG law is introduced to regulate the cigarette industry and smoking activities for the public’s benefit. For illustration purposes. Image: TRP File.

Additionally, the Ministry is actively implementing various programmes to create a smoke-free society such as the Quit Smoking Clinic which is available at health clinics nationwide.

Currently, there are two methods to stop smoking as outlined in the Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG): Treatment for Tobacco Use Disorder:

Through medications such as the use of nicotine replacement products
Through behaviour interventions

To make it easier for people to quit smoking, nicotine patches and gum can now be sold over-the-counter in Malaysia. #GEG https://t.co/BTbiH4VWkZ
— Khairy Jamaluddin 🇲🇾🌺 (@Khairykj) October 6, 2022