‘No longer if, but when’: Malaysia targets nationwide vape ban by mid-2026, says health minister

Dzulkefly had also urged all parties to be patient, adding that further announcements will be made regarding the timeline and mechanism of the vape ban, state news agency Bernama reported then. 

Local media had cited Dzulkefly as saying on Aug 28 that the memorandum would be presented to the Cabinet by the end of the year, following his ministry’s submission of an initial proposal by the expert committee. 

On Thursday, Dzulkefly said that the final timeline of the ban would depend on the Cabinet’s approval but his health ministry will continue to push for a ban by setting the deadline of mid-2026. 

“I am hoping it is going to be somewhere in the middle of next year. If not, then in the second half of 2026, we definitely want to ban (the use of vapes),” he was quoted as saying by The Star.

The health minister had previously said that his ministry supports the decision by six state governments – Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis, Kedah, and Pahang – not to issue or renew vape sales licenses through their respective local authorities. 

Earlier this year, Dzulkefly had said that the country was ready to revisit banning vapes, even if it was a belated attempt.

Dzulkefly had said then that despite plans by his predecessors as early as 2015 to ban vaping, Malaysia had missed the boat on enacting total restrictions like in Singapore, Thailand and Brunei. 

Neighbouring country Singapore has been stepping up enforcement against vaping, with stepped-up checks at the country’s air, land and sea checkpoints as well as in various parts of the island.  

Harsher penalties for vaping offences also came into force on Sep 1, with etomidate – the anaesthetic agent that has been found in vapes – listed as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act.