California-based Ispire Technology Inc., a Nasdaq-listed e-cigarette and cannabis vape company, has received Malaysia’s first federal interim licence to manufacture nicotine products through its subsidiary, Ispire Malaysia Sdn Bhd, based in Senai, Johor.
Approved by federal and Johor state authorities, the licence authorises Ispire to immediately begin production, import, and export of nicotine products. The company plans to expand from six to 80 production lines and anticipates final licence approval in the coming months.
“This is a key milestone,” said co-CEO Michael Wang. “It positions us as a global leader in vaping hardware and helps mitigate geopolitical risks and US tariffs.”
Ispire is shifting production from China to Malaysia to avoid US tariffs and reduce costs. Its Senai facility, opened in 2024, is ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 13485 certified and spans 86,000 sq. ft., with a monthly capacity of up to 107 million pods.
Though cannabis remains illegal in Malaysia, Ispire’s factory reportedly manufactures cannabis vape devices for export only. The company describes the facility as an “electronic medical device factory,” and its products are not registered as medical devices with Malaysia’s Medical Device Authority.
The licence issuance has sparked concern from health advocates amid growing youth vape use and drug-laced vape fears. Ispire’s announcement came days after Malaysia won a WHO award for tobacco control.
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