Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Zulkifli Abdullah stated that as of June 2025, the Ministry of Health has received a total of 83 reports of illnesses related to smoking products, including e-cigarettes.
He noted that 44 of these cases involved severe lung-related complications, while the remaining 39 were other health issues not directly affecting the lungs.
“From 2019 until June 2025, the Ministry has received five suspected death reports linked to e-cigarette use,” he said.
“However, due to limited clinical evidence and other possible contributing factors, it is difficult to establish a direct causal link between e-cigarette use and these deaths.”
Dr. Zulkifli made these remarks yesterday in a written reply to a question from Kuantan MP Wong Tack during a parliamentary session. Wong had requested the Ministry to disclose the number of deaths related to smoking or e-cigarette use.
Additionally, Dr. Zulkifli said that the Ministry is currently strengthening its monitoring system to accurately determine the true causes of deaths related to smoking products.
“This is in line with Section 21 of the 2024 Public Health (Tobacco Products Control) Order, which empowers the Health Minister, based on recommendations from a dedicated committee, to prohibit or restrict the import, manufacture, distribution, or sale of tobacco products.”
