![[UPDATED] Health Ministry seeks ban on vaping and vape product sales](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2FHQ120623AA01734_1753672916.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
[UPDATED] Health Ministry seeks ban on vaping and vape product sales
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the move requires consideration of several factors, including legal implications, enforcement, and public health.
"The Health Ministry is heading towards a total ban on the use and sale of vapes to contain the problem effectively and wholly.
"The implementation of this ban must be done carefully and take into account various aspects," the minister said during Minister's Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.
In response to a question by Datuk Ahmad Saad @ Yahaya (PN-Pokok Sena), Dzulkefly said that the government had formed an expert committee to study the matter and provide policy recommendations.
He said the committee advised a comprehensive review of industrial, regulatory, economic and licensing aspects before implementing a government-level ban.
"The Health Ministry is also planning detailed discussions with the Finance Ministry, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry, Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry, and the Attorney-General's Chambers," he said.
Dzulkefly added that the ministry is currently enforcing the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024, which regulates product registration, advertising, promotion, sponsorship and other aspects.
In a press conference later, the minister said that the expert committee will review current enforcement mechanisms under the Act and recommend further steps towards a complete ban.
As of June this year, about 70 per cent of 58 police investigation papers found vapes laced with illegal drugs, while 80 per cent of 64 investigations in 2024 showed similar findings.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Focus Malaysia
3 hours ago
- Focus Malaysia
Ban today, black market tomorrow: Re-thinking the vape crackdown
THE government's move to ban open-system vape devices under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) raises serious concerns. While public health risks are real – with 80% of seized vape products reportedly containing banned substances – an outright ban may worsen the situation instead of resolving it. A better approach is to regulate, tax and monitor the industry under a clear legal framework. Using today's debate to ask tough questions In Parliament yesterday (July 28), Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkelfy Ahmad announced that enforcement would begin immediately against open-system vape devices, citing concerns over how easily they can be modified and refilled. 𝐊𝐊𝐌 𝐓𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐈 𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐊𝐀𝐇 𝐊𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐇 𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐌𝐀𝐍 𝐕𝐀𝐏𝐄 Alhamdulillah, pagi ini di Dewan Rakyat saya telah menjawab soalan YB Dato' Haji Ahmad Bin Saad @ Yahaya, Ahli Parlimen Pokok Sena berkenaan pendirian Kementerian terhadap langkah beberapa Kerajaan… — KKMalaysia🇲🇾🩺❤️ (@KKMPutrajaya) July 28, 2025 Authorities are right to be alarmed by the presence of substances like methamphetamine and cannabinoids in some of these products, especially among youth. But pushing the industry underground will not eliminate these threats. It will simply make them harder to trace and control. Singapore's experience shows the limits of prohibition Singapore banned vaping in February 2018. Yet illegal products are still widely available, often sold through encrypted apps like Telegram and WhatsApp. Even more worrying is the rise of counterfeit vape liquids laced with synthetic drugs. If a high-compliance country like Singapore cannot eliminate its black market, Malaysia is unlikely to fare any better using the same approach. Prohibition risks strengthening the black market. Malaysia already loses over RM5 billion annually to illicit cigarette sales. A vape ban could drive consumers further toward dangerous, unregulated products. Enforcement may also be misdirected. Authorities will be forced to target small retailers and informal sellers instead of focusing on major public health threats. Meanwhile, adult smokers looking to quit may find themselves pushed back to cigarettes or left to navigate an unregulated vape black market. Why ignore revenue in a tight fiscal climate? Malaysia has repeatedly cited limited fiscal space to justify subsidy reforms and tax hikes. Yet the vape sector remains largely untaxed and unregulated. This is a missed opportunity. By taxing vape products based on nicotine content, the government could generate revenue, discourage high-risk use, and create a level playing field with the tobacco industry. A well-structured excise system would strengthen oversight while funding healthcare and anti-smoking campaigns. Why go through all the trouble of expanding the Sales and Services Tax (SST) if we continue to ignore other obvious and efficient sources of revenue like vaping? Let's not waste the opportunity to get this right. Use Act 852 as intended The Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act (Act 852) already contains the tools needed for effective regulation. These include product registration, licensing, advertising restrictions, and age limits. Rather than bypass these mechanisms, the government should use them. Enforce mandatory product testing, introduce tiered excise taxes, license retailers with strict age-gated access, regulate advertising and collaborate with online platforms to curb digital black markets. Public education must also be stepped up, especially targeting youth and parents. The presence of banned substances in vape products is alarming, but a blanket ban is not a sustainable solution. It risks losing control of the market while also forfeiting harm reduction and revenue opportunities. Malaysia already has the legal and policy framework to manage this sector responsibly. What it needs now is the political will to do so. Prohibition may sound tough but effective regulation is what truly protects public health. Tax it. Regulate it. Control it. Let's not waste this opportunity to get it right. – July 29, 2025
Daily Express
4 hours ago
- Daily Express
Government moves towards total vape ban, says health minister
Published on: Tuesday, July 29, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 29, 2025 By: Muhammad Yusry, Malay Mail Text Size: For illustrative purposes only. - Getty Images KUALA LUMPUR: The government is working towards a complete ban on the sale and use of electronic cigarettes, or vapes, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad told the Dewan Rakyat on Monday. He said the Ministry of Health is currently studying the matter, which requires a thorough assessment from legal, industry, government revenue, and licensing perspectives before any such policy can be implemented. Dzulkefly said that current regulations only restricted the sale of smoking products at speciality stores while not covering other retail outlets or convenience stores. 'To achieve more comprehensive control, particularly a total ban on the use and sale of electronic cigarettes, a detailed study and further action at the federal level are still required,' he said during Question Time. 'In line with this, the Health Ministry is moving towards a complete ban on the sale and use of electronic cigarettes or vapes to curb this issue more effectively and comprehensively. However, the implementation of such a ban must be carried out carefully.' Dzulkefly was responding to Pokok Sena MP Datuk Ahmad Saad, who had asked about the ministry's position on several state governments' decisions to stop issuing business licences for electronic cigarettes and vapes in their respective states. The minister said he supported Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis, Kedah and Pahang in choosing not to license the sale of vape produucts. 'This is in line with public health aspirations and the licensing authority of premises under local councils,' he added. Dzulkefly added that a committee of experts on electronic cigarettes met on July 22 to discuss vape control strategies and ways to strengthen regulations on smoking products. 'Following this, the Health Ministry plans to hold detailed discussions with four key ministries and departments, namely the Finance Ministry, the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, and the Attorney General's Chambers,' he added. Dzulkefly said his ministry is currently prioritising a strict regulatory approach to smoking products through the implementation of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024. 'This includes requirements for product registration, bans on advertising, promotion and sponsorship, controls on sales, and smoking prohibitions in designated no-smoking areas,' he said. - Malay Mail * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Expert urges urgent action as teen vaping rates surge
KOTA KINABALU: Malaysia must urgently recognise that vaping, especially among adolescents, is a growing national health threat, said Professor Dr Sanjay Rampal. Universiti Malaya Research Development executive director said the country risks facing a significant burden of lung-related illnesses if current trends continue unchecked. He said while Malaysia's non-communicable disease strategies have long prioritised cardiovascular diseases and cancer, respiratory health has not received adequate attention. Dr Sanjay said smoking is a major risk factor to respiratory-related illnesses, especially among adult males. He added that there is also a rising trend of vaping among schoolchildren. "If vaping was truly about harm reduction, we'd be using it to help older smokers quit. But that's not what's happening. "Children as young as 8 have started vaping. Among secondary school students, the prevalence has climbed to 15 to 20 per cent. "Anybody can buy a vape with nicotine inside at the mall. We seriously have to think about it. If you're serious about respiratory health, you should also be serious about its prevention. "They've started vaping and smoking young. When they come into clinics at 40 years old, all we can do is treat them. We cannot undo the damage. We've missed the chance to prevent it." He was speaking at the inauguration of the RESPIRE Annual Scientific Meeting 2025 at a hotel here. He stressed the urgent need to acknowledge vaping as a public health crisis, calling for tougher policies and stronger public awareness. He proposed a multi-pronged strategy, which includes recognising teen vaping as a serious national issue, rolling out strong anti-vaping messages, banning the open sale of nicotine products, especially to youth,as well as considering prescription-only access to vapes for adults trying to quit smoking. Present were Health Ministry deputy director-general (Research and Technical Support) Datuk Dr Nor Fariza Ngah and RESPIRE co-director Professor Ee Ming Khoo. Yesterday in the Dewan Rakyat, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said that the ministry is seeking a full ban on the use and sale of electronic cigarettes and vape products. He was responding to a question by Pokok Sena member of parliament Datuk Ahmad Saad about the ministry's position following the move by Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis, Kedah and Pahang to ban vape products in their states.
