KUALA LUMPUR (July 28): The Ministry of Health (MOH) is planning to impose a full ban on the use and sale of open-system vape products soon, citing growing concerns over their susceptibility to tampering and high prevalence of illicit substances.
Open system vape products refer to vaping devices where the user can manually refill the vaping liquid into a tank or pod, as opposed to 'closed-system' products that use pre-filled, disposable cartridges or pods containing the vaping liquid.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad told the Dewan Rakyat on Monday that enforcement action will be taken “immediately” to prohibit open-system vape devices, as data showed that roughly 80% of seized vape products contained banned substances such as methamphetamine and cannabinoids.
“This is the [vape or e-cigarette] system we are observing and aiming to ban quickly...we want enforcement to be carried out immediately,” Dzulkefly said. "Open-system vapes — one of three device categories alongside cartridge-based and closed-system vapes — allow for refilling and modifications, making them particularly prone to misuse."
Dzulkefly highlighted that over 70% of both closed and open-system devices tested in the first half of 2025 were found to contain illegal substances.
The move will be carried out under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852), which came into effect on Oct 1, 2024. The Act prohibits the sale of smoking products, including e-cigarettes, to individuals under 18 and provides a framework for regulating their sale, use, and advertisement.
The health minister was responding to a supplementary question from Young Syefura Othman (Pakatan Harapan-Bentong), who had asked about the government’s regulatory response to protect youth from vaping harms.
Dzulkefly said that enforcement will also include revoking licences of premises caught selling illicit vape products, regardless of whether they had prior approval. The ministry is also reviewing the status of special vape-only retail permits in light of these findings.
'Operasi Selamat PaPa' from Aug 1 as part of nationwide crackdown
Dzulkefly also announced the launch of “Operasi Selamat PaPa (paru-paru)” beginning Aug 1, a nationwide enforcement operation targeting illegal vape sales and misuse, particularly under the lens of lung-related health risks. This campaign will run concurrently with “Operasi Selamat MaMa”, which focuses on protecting the public from second-hand smoke exposure.
Both initiatives will involve agencies such as the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, Royal Malaysian Police, the Customs Department, local authorities, and civil society organisations.
“The facts are there — with the injuries caused by vaping and e-cigarette use. This compels us to revisit existing policies and adopt a science- and evidence-based approach,” Dzulkefly said.
Dzulkefly was responding to Datuk Ahmad Saad @ Yahaya (Perikatan Nasional-Pokok Sena), who had asked about the ministry’s stance on actions by state governments to tighten control over the industry.
As it stands, there are six states — Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis, Kedah and Pahang — that have independently chosen to stop issuing or renewing licences for electronic cigarette and vape retailers.
Dzulkefly responded that the ministry is re-examining the generational endgame policy, intended to eliminate smoking and vaping among future generations, pending further research and refinement.
Dzulkefly said the ministry supports the initiative but noted that unlicensed sales, particularly through convenience stores and sundry shops, remain widespread. "It is a positive step, but enforcement remains a challenge given the continued availability of vape products in retail outlets,” he said.
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