By Timothy S. Donahue
Top Takeaways:
- Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad says Malaysia will ban vaping, starting with open-system devices.
- A cabinet paper finalizing the ban is being prepared; thetiming will be announced soon.
- The vape industry, valued at RM3.48 billion in 2023, warns of economic fallout.
Malaysia plans to ban vaping nationwide in phases, starting with open-system devices, as authorities aim to curb what they describe as increasing misuse of e-cigarettes.
Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad informed Parliament on Sept. 9–10 that a Cabinet paper is nearing completion and that the decision is now about “when we ban,” not “if we ban.” He stated that open-system vapes—reusable devices that can be refilled with any liquid—would be banned first, followed by a broader ban on closed-system disposables.
The announcement aligns Malaysia with neighboring Singapore, which already bans vaping, and follows actions by state governments including Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis, Kedah, and Pahang, all of which have implemented local restrictions.
“A thorough review is being conducted to assess the effectiveness of existing controls and to draft a more comprehensive policy to safeguard the health of the people as a whole,” Dzulkefly wrote in his parliamentary reply.
The minister told reporters on Sept. 11 that details of the Cabinet paper would be released in the coming weeks.
Health advocates welcomed the move, but the country’s pro-vape lobby pushed back, warning that the industry has become a major contributor to Malaysia’s economy. The Malaysian Vape Chamber of Commerce estimates that the sector was worth RM3.48 billion (approximately US$1.1 billion) in 2023, up sharply from RM2.27 billion in 2019.
