The Sarawak Government has agreed in principle to move towards banning “Vape Piu Piu”, although implementation will only be considered after public awareness campaigns and updated data on vaping-related crimes, accidents and health impacts are presented.
State Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said the proposal had already been endorsed in principle by the State Cabinet but stressed that education and awareness efforts must come first.
She said the government wants to ensure the public fully understands the risks associated with vaping before any enforcement action is rolled out.
“Before the policy is implemented, the State Cabinet will instruct my ministry and the Sarawak Health Department to carry out extensive awareness and advocacy programmes,” she told reporters after officiating the GoBald 2026 Main Shave Event organised by the Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society (SCCS) at The Hills.
Fatimah said that in about two weeks, the State Social Development Council would review more comprehensive data from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the Ministry of Health (MOH) and other agencies, including cases linked to vaping such as brain damage, domestic violence and other crimes.
She added that the move is aimed at ensuring policy decisions are based on verified statistics rather than assumptions or isolated incidents.
According to her, integrated enforcement operations involving PDRM, MOH and the Sarawak Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) have so far not found prohibited substances being openly sold at registered vape premises.
She said all inspected outlets were found to have valid licences and products tested did not contain banned substances at the time of checks.
However, she noted that enforcement results may differ depending on timing and circumstances on the ground, as some issues may not be immediately visible during inspections.
Fatimah also warned that vaping becomes more dangerous when drugs or other substances are mixed into vape liquids, which remains a key concern among youth.
She added that such cases are often detected during enforcement operations such as roadblocks and nightclub raids carried out by authorities.
