Health Ministry moving towards total ban on vape use and sales
The Health Ministry is taking steps towards a complete ban on the use and sale of electronic cigarettes or vapes. -Photo by Bernama
SHAH ALAM - The Health Ministry is taking steps towards a complete ban on the use and sale of electronic cigarettes or vapes, aiming for stronger measures to address health concerns.
Malay daily newspaper Berita Harian reported that its minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the ban, which fell under the Federal Government's jurisdiction, must be implemented carefully, planned by considering legal, enforcement and public health factors.
'A thorough review is underway to evaluate the effectiveness of current controls and to determine whether more comprehensive policies are needed to protect public health,' he said during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat.
Dr Dzulkefly was responding to Datuk Ahmad Saad (PN–Pokok Sena), who asked about the ministry's stance on several state governments that have stopped issuing licenses for vape businesses.
He welcomed the move by six states, which were Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis, Kedah and Pahang to discontinue or refuse renewals for vape retail licenses.
"The ministry welcomes this decision as the authority to license business premises falls under the jurisdiction of local authorities within the state governments.
"This approach also aligns with our aspiration to protect public health. However, the current control only involves banning the sale of smoking products at specific premises such as specialty stores and does not cover retail or convenience stores," he added. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad - Photo by Bernama
According to him, for now the ministry is focusing on strict regulation of smoking products through the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852), which covers product registration, advertising bans, sales restrictions and no-smoking zones.
As part of enforcement efforts, the ministry will launch an integrated nationwide operation called Ops Selamat Paru-Paru (Ops Selamat PaPa) this Friday to ensure effective implementation of Act 852.
'We want Act 852 enforcement to go beyond license withdrawals, as done by the six states, because vape products are still widely accessible,' Dr Dzulkefly said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
6 minutes ago
- The Sun
Youth mental health crisis demands systemic support in Sarawak
KUCHING: Youth mental health is facing unprecedented strain due to academic pressures, economic instability, digital saturation, and unstable family dynamics, warns Sarawak Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah. Speaking at the Sarawak International Conference on Youth Mental Health 2025, Abdul Karim emphasised the urgent need for systemic reforms. 'Youth mental health is shaped by external systems like education, technology, and policy frameworks. We must realign these to support our youth effectively,' he said. The minister highlighted disparities in access to mental health services, particularly in rural and marginalised communities. Even in urban areas, many young people lack safe spaces to voice their struggles. 'Silence can no longer be our default response. We must foster open dialogue and provide proactive mental health tools,' he added. Global data reveals one in five adolescents battles mental health issues, a trend echoed in Malaysia. The National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) shows rising depression, anxiety, and stress levels among youth, including in Sarawak. 'If we want our youth to become future leaders, we must prioritise their mental resilience and psychological safety,' Abdul Karim stressed. The two-day conference aimed to drive inclusivity in youth mental wellness, serving as a platform for knowledge exchange and policy advocacy. Abdul Karim described it as a catalyst for change, fostering connections and renewing commitment to youth mental health in development agendas. – Bernama
Focus Malaysia
an hour 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
3 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
