Malaysia’s vape ban, once implemented, will start with a ban on open-systems. Photo credit: Needpix.
Malaysia’s anticipated vape ban is nearing implementation and will begin with a prohibition on refillable open-system devices, health minister Datuk Seri Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad said.
“We face challenges, but we still hope to implement the ban. Many compounding factors are at play. But our team of experts is here to work on it,” he said during his New Year’s address to Health Ministry staff. Speaking to reporters afterward, he confirmed that enforcement would first target open-system products before extending to other categories.
Reports indicate the ban is likely to take effect in mid-2026. Dzulkefly said the health ministry would strictly enforce the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024.
“My stance on the issue of cigarettes and vaping remains unchanged. The full enforcement of this Act is our moral responsibility, to protect future generations from the threat of non-communicable diseases and conditions such as popcorn lung,” he said, according to Bernama. He added that authorities have repeatedly warned about open-system vapes, which he said have been misused for synthetic drug consumption.
The proposed ban, which would cover both the sale and use of affected products, will be raised at an upcoming cabinet meeting, Dzulkefly said.
The vape industry, however, has criticized the proposed ban as a policy reversal. Industry players argue that the move undermines regulatory certainty after earlier approvals from the Health Ministry.
Dewan Perniagaan Vape Malaysia secretary-general Ridhwan Rosli said many affected products had already completed laboratory testing and formal approval processes. Some products have received approval, others remain under review, and some are already in production, he told Utusan Malaysia.
Ridhwan warned that banning products after approvals were granted would unfairly penalize traders holding inventories worth hundreds of millions of ringgit. He also raised concerns about the fate of existing stock, potential refunds of approval fees, and regulatory inconsistencies across states, where retail sales face bans but manufacturing, imports, and exports continue.
Without clear enforcement and transition measures, Ridhwan said, the ban risks driving illicit trade and unregulated products, harming both consumer safety and compliant businesses.