The Malaysian government is finalizing plans for a nationwide total ban on electronic cigarettes, or vapes. The policy is projected to take effect as early as late 2025, or at the latest by mid-2026, amid growing concerns over public health impacts, particularly mental health disorders.
At the Cabinet level, the overall policy direction has essentially been agreed upon. The government is now focused on completing the regulatory and legislative frameworks before the ban is implemented.
Malaysia’s Health Minister, Dzulkefly Ahmad, emphasized that the decision is final in principle.
“This is not about whether we ban vaping or not, but when. The decision has been made at Cabinet level to move towards a ban,” he said in Johor Bahru on December 16, as quoted by The Straits Times.
Health concerns as the primary driver
One of the main factors behind the planned ban is the discovery of vape liquids mixed with harmful synthetic substances, including synthetic cannabis. The Ministry of Health has recorded cases of patients experiencing psychosis after consuming these substances through vaping.
These findings have reinforced the government’s view that vaping is no longer merely an alternative to conventional cigarettes, but has become a new medium for substance abuse.
Dzulkefly stated that his ministry has received medical reports documenting serious mental health disorders linked to vape use.
These cases are currently being monitored by a special task force under the Ministry of Health, working in collaboration with medical professionals and public health experts. The government considers lifestyle factors and substance abuse to be significant contributors to the rising mental health challenges in the country.
He also stressed that the move toward a ban is not a sudden reaction, but rather a continuation of existing health policies. According to him, the government is approaching a final stage of a more assertive and consistent policy stance.
Public pressure and policy targets
Beyond the government, pressure to swiftly implement the ban has come from civil society groups. The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) argues that the government has delayed the policy for too long, even as the health risks associated with vaping continue to grow.
CAP has highlighted the increasing prevalence of vaping among students and young people, warning that it could lead to early addiction.
Calls for a ban have also come from the Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, who has urged firm action to protect the younger generation from the harmful effects of vaping, both for users and the wider public.
In response, Dzulkefly said that a Cabinet Memorandum is currently being finalized and is expected to be resubmitted to the Cabinet early next year.
If the plan proceeds on schedule, Malaysia will introduce one of the strictest vape control policies in the region, marking a shift in the country’s approach to electronic cigarettes as a serious public health issue.
