KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 — The Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy today commended Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s administration for its decision to fully ban e-cigarettes and vapes.
Galen Centre chief executive Azrul Mohd Khalib said the federal government’s “bold move” reflected national urgency and its commitment to protect public health, particularly young Malaysians, from the dangers of vaping and nicotine addiction.
“This phased approach beginning with open-system vapourisers which are easily modified, misused and spiked with adulterated vape liquids and mixed with drugs such as etomidate, is the right thing to do. We have to be firm and pragmatic,” said Azrul in a statement.
He pointed out that retail display bans on cigarettes and vapes, pending an October deadline for full compliance, haven’t been fully implemented, even though the regulation came into effect last April 1 under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852).
“For too long, Malaysia has been out of step with surrounding countries which have banned vape and e-cigarettes,” he said.
“This announcement demonstrates leadership, courage, and a recognition that public health must come first.”
Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said in a written Dewan Negara reply to Senator Baharuddin Ahmad last Tuesday that “the federal government has prepared and is now moving towards a full ban on the use and sale of electronic cigarettes or vapes”, beginning with a prohibition on open-system vapes before expanding the ban to all vape products.
Open-system vapes allow users to manually fill vape liquids into their device, whereas closed systems or disposables are pre-filled devices.
Dzulkefly added that the Ministry of Health (MOH) has conducted discussions with several main ministries and departments, including the Ministry of Finance, the Customs Department, the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, the police, the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, the Malaysian Investment Development Authority, as well as the legal advisor’s office.
“The results of these discussions and a proposal for implementation of the ban will be tabled to the Cabinet for policy agreement that will become the basis for implementation of a full prohibition on electronic cigarettes or vapes in Malaysia.”
Singapore recently intensified its clampdown on vape, as the government declared that it would treat vaping as a drug issue. Anaesthetic agent etomidate, which is being abused through “Kpod” vapes, has also been classified as a Class C drug.
Beyond Singapore, other Asean countries like Brunei, Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore, Laos, and Vietnam have also banned vape.
The sale of e-cigarettes or vape is currently banned in six states in Malaysia: Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis, Kedah, and Pahang via local council restriction on vape sale licences.
However, these prohibitions only target the sale, not use, as only the federal government has the power to prohibit sale, possession, and use of any substances in the country.
Since Act 852 allows the use and sale of vapes, only banning smoking products for minors aged below 18, a full prohibition will require the government to table an amendment bill.
