Sarawak Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has called for a nationwide ban on vape products, arguing that their long-term health and social costs far exceed the tax revenue generated by the industry.
Speaking at a press conference at the Baitulmakmur II building on Wednesday, Abdul Karim said the federal government should take stronger action as vaping has strayed far from its original purpose as a smoking cessation aid.
“I am one person who would advocate and support any effort to ban vape. There are already many countries that have taken this step,” he said.
He was responding to reports that the Health Ministry (MOH) expects the annual healthcare and economic costs linked to vape-related illnesses to reach RM369 million, while excise duty collected from e-cigarette and vape products between 2023 and June 2026 totalled RM354.51 million.
Abdul Karim said the government is spending significantly more on treating illnesses associated with vaping than it earns through taxes on vape products.
“The income the government receives from taxes is not even enough to cover what we are spending on treatment, rehabilitation and healthcare for people affected by vape-related illnesses,” he said.
He added that organisations such as the Malaysian Drug Prevention Association (Pemadam), which he chairs in Sarawak, and the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) have repeatedly raised concerns over the increasing misuse of vape devices.
According to Abdul Karim, vape products were originally introduced as an alternative to conventional cigarettes to help smokers quit, but irresponsible individuals have since exploited them to consume illegal substances.
“Vape has gone beyond what it was intended for. It was supposed to help people stop smoking tobacco cigarettes. Now, some people are using it as another method to take drugs,” he said.
He pointed to the emergence of vape liquids laced with substances such as morphine, marijuana and fentanyl, as well as so-called ‘mushroom’ vape products that have recently attracted public attention.
“What is happening now is that vape is being abused for purposes it was never intended for. In the long run, this is not going to be good for Malaysia’s youth,” he warned.
While acknowledging that any decision to ban vape products rests with the federal government, Abdul Karim urged Putrajaya to act before the problem becomes more difficult to control.
“My personal appeal is simple – if you can, ban vape,” he said.
