Urgent Call for Government to Table Amendments to Ban Vapes and Electronic Cigarettes This Year
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I urge the Ministry of Health (MOH) to table amendments to the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2023 (Act 852) in the upcoming parliamentary session to enforce a comprehensive ban on vapes and electronic cigarettes within this year.
Malaysia must take bold and decisive action to protect public health by following the footsteps of countries like Thailand, Singapore, Brazil, and Argentina, nations that have already implemented outright bans on vape and e-cigarette products.
I fully support the Health Minister’s statement made in Parliament today, which signals the government’s intention to impose a complete ban on the use and sale of vape and e-cigarette products nationwide.
The statistics revealed by the Ministry are deeply alarming:
As of June 2025, 70% of vape products tested contained banned substances, including dangerous drugs such as methamphetamine and synthetic cannabinoids.
In 2024, 80% of vape-related cases investigated involved drug abuse.
These numbers clearly demonstrate that vape products are not just hazardous to health, they have become conduits for smuggling and substance abuse, particularly among youths and teenagers.
The idea that vaping is a safer alternative to smoking is a dangerous misconception. Vape use is scientifically linked to:
Lung disease,
Damage to the respiratory system,
Increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Malaysia currently has vape products with the highest nicotine content globally (3–5%), which makes them highly addictive, particularly for teenagers, often more so than conventional cigarettes.
Furthermore, the open refillable systems of many vape devices allow for the discreet insertion of illegal substances, turning them into stealthy drug delivery tools that are difficult for authorities and parents to detect.
The danger is compounded by modern, stylish designs, sweet flavorings, and aggressive youth-targeted marketing strategies, all of which make these products dangerously attractive to young people, leading to early addiction that is hard to reverse.
This issue demands urgent, serious, and uncompromising action. Public health, especially the wellbeing of our younger generation, must be prioritised above all else.
I reiterate my commitment to supporting the government in taking all necessary legislative and enforcement measures to safeguard our people. Vaping is not a harmless trend, it is a growing public health crisis. The time to act is now.
Teresa Kok
Member of Parliament for Seputeh