The Ministry of Health (MOH) is aiming to implement a ban on vaping, beginning with open pod systems, within this year, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said.
He stressed that the ministry would not compromise in enforcing the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852).
“On the issue of cigarettes and vaping, my position remains firm. The full enforcement of this Act is our moral responsibility to protect future generations from the dangers of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and conditions such as popcorn lung,” he said.
Dzulkefly added that open-system vape products have been abused through the use of various synthetic drugs, prompting the ministry to prioritise a ban on this category.
“I have previously issued warnings, particularly regarding open-system vapes. While several measures may be considered, the first step is to ban the open pod system,” he told reporters after delivering the 2026 New Year message here today.
He said the proposed ban would cover both the sale and use of open pod vape products, adding that the matter would be brought to the Cabinet for discussion in the near future.
Separately, Dzulkefly announced that the Rakan KKM initiative, which offers premium economy-class healthcare services at selected government hospitals, is expected to be launched in the first quarter of this year.
“By the first quarter of 2026, we will begin accepting the first patients under the Rakan KKM initiative,” he said.
He explained that the ‘premium-economy’ healthcare model would allow for cross-subsidisation, helping to retain medical specialists within the public healthcare system.
Cyberjaya Hospital will be the first MOH facility to offer the service, before it is gradually expanded to other hospitals nationwide.
