Malaysia’s federal government will implement a complete ban on vape and e-cigarette sales in stages, starting with open-system devices before expanding to all vaping products nationwide.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad announced on 10 Sep 2025 that the ban will begin with open-system vape devices before gradually extending to all types of vaping products.
Immediate Action on Open-System Devices
The ministry plans to prohibit open-system vape devices first due to their susceptibility to tampering and high prevalence of illicit substances. Roughly 80% of seized vape products contained banned substances such as methamphetamine and cannabinoids.
Over 70% of both closed and open-system devices tested in the first half of 2025 contained illegal substances.
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Legal Framework and Timeline
The ban operates under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852), which came into effect on 1 Oct 2024. Dzulkefly submitted a preliminary proposal report to the Cabinet on 22 Aug 2025 and will table a Cabinet memorandum on the vaping ban by end of 2025.
“It is no longer a question of if we ban, but when we ban,” Dzulkefly told the Dewan Rakyat during the ministry’s winding-up debate on the 13th Malaysia Plan.
Six states have already moved to ban vape sales independently of federal action. Johor and Kelantan banned vape sales in 2016 and 2015 respectively. Kedah, Terengganu, Perlis, and Pahang have stopped issuing or renewing vape sales licences.
Perak announced plans to block sales licences starting in Oct 2025.
Enforcement Operations Launch
The ministry launched “Operasi Selamat PaPa (paru-paru)” on 1 Aug 2025, a nationwide enforcement operation targeting illegal vape sales. The campaign involves the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, Royal Malaysian Police, Customs Department, local authorities, and civil society organisations.
Enforcement includes revoking licences of premises caught selling illicit vape products.
Industry Opposition and Legal Concerns
Vape industry associations warn that prohibition could drive adult consumers to unregulated products. “The ban won’t eliminate demand. It will simply eliminate safe access,” said Tarmizi Anuwar from the Consumer Choice Centre.
Malaysia Retail Electronic Cigarette Association president Datuk Adzwan Ab Manas warned that banning vape products would dismantle the regulated retail network and boost illicit trade.
Health Concerns Drive Policy Change
The Malaysian Medical Association called for a total ban on vaping and e-cigarette products in May 2025. Malaysian Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh reported almost 20,000 cases of students vaping in schools during 2024.
Anti-tobacco activist Muhammad Sha’ani Abdullah said Malaysia should align with Singapore, Thailand and Brunei, which have banned vapes.
Gradual Implementation Strategy
Dzulkefly cautioned that an abrupt ban could expose the government to legal challenges from industry players with legitimate expectations under Act 852.
The government gazetted the regulatory framework on 2 Feb 2024, creating legal obligations that complicate immediate prohibition.
The ministry is studying legal, industry, government revenue, and licensing perspectives before full implementation.
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