The government will proceed with plans to impose a full ban on e-cigarettes and vape products, with a Cabinet Memorandum expected to be presented early next year, Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said.
He explained that the memorandum, which was unable to be tabled at an earlier Cabinet meeting, is currently being finalised and will be submitted once completed.
“We are moving towards a ban. The main issue now is the timing. I am confident it can be implemented as soon as possible — by mid-2026 or, at the latest, by the end of next year,” he told reporters after visiting Hospital Permai today.
Also present were Johor State Health and Environment Committee chairman Ling Tiang Soon and Johor Health Department director Dr Mohtar Pungut.
Dr Dzulkefly said the government is accelerating the ban due to growing health concerns linked to vape use, including the discovery of vape liquids contaminated with prohibited substances such as synthetic cannabis.
He added that a special committee, chaired by Health deputy director-general (Public Health) Dr Ismuni Bohari and public health consultant Prof Datuk Dr Lokman Hakim Sulaiman, is currently conducting studies on the potential health, social and legal impacts of implementing the ban.
Previously, Dr Dzulkefly informed the Dewan Negara in a written reply that the ban would be rolled out in phases, starting with open-system vaping devices before eventually covering all types of vape products.
