Authorities in Malaysia are going further than previously announced - a complete ban on both the sale and use of e-cigarettes is now on the table.
Malaysia is the latest country to aim for a total ban on e-cigarettes and vaping. Preparations for new, stricter regulations have been underway for a long time - but now the authorities seem to want to go even further than previously announced. The government is considering a total ban on both sale and use. The proposal has been pushed through by local medical organisations.
Like Vapetjeks Sister newspaper Vejpkollen As previously reported, Malaysia has a relatively large e-cigarette industry. It is valued at 4.13 billion Ringgit Malaysia (RM) - equivalent to approximately 9.8 billion DKK - but has for some time faced major changes when the new law Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act will come into effect. The law will prohibit the sale, purchase and services related to tobacco products and substitutes, including e-cigarettes, to persons under the age of 18. At the same time, the amount of e-liquid will be restricted: bottle sizes will be reduced to 15ml and 3ml for disposable products - a significant cut compared to current standards. This has caused concern in the industry, with smaller players in particular at risk of being wiped out.
Full ban
Over the summer, the country's Health Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, announced that the government is now formally considering a complete ban instead. He said in parliament that an expert group has already been set up to look into legal, financial and licensing issues before any national law change can be implemented, according to The Edge Malaysia.
The Minister of Health emphasises that the ban should be considered both at the federal level and in line with the states that have already introduced their own measures - such as Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis and Kedah, where new licences have been stopped or regional bans have been introduced.
Pressure from medical organisations
In May 2025, the influential Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) called for a total ban on a national level. The MMA claims that e-cigarettes are associated with health risks. At the same time, e-cigarettes with nicotine have proven to be a far more effective smoking cessation tool compared to nicotine medicines. Nevertheless, several medical organisations have promoted nicotine medicines as the only safe tool - something that has caused conflict within the medical community.
Around 22 per cent of Malaysia's population smokes. Critics point out that the cigarette market and tobacco industry are largely left untouched when discussing bans on nicotine products in Asian countries.
Illegal trade in nicotine
In the past, the Malaysian government has tried to introduce a so-called generation banwhere people born after a certain year would never be able to buy nicotine products. However, the proposal was withdrawn after legal and political opposition. Now the direction is towards a general ban instead.
Malaysia already has a ban on nicotine in e-liquid, but the illegal trade has exploded. Without regulation and controlled sales, the market has been flooded with imported products from China and other parts of Asia. As a result, several health groups have long been pushing for a total ban.
Young people are becoming more vulnerable
But there are also organisations that warn against a total ban. The Malaysian Vape Chamber of Commerce has pointed out that a ban could drive young people even further into the arms of the black market, where products are unregulated, less safe and more accessible to minors.
Instead, the Malaysia Retail Electronic Cigarette Association has called for increased oversight - with a focus on stopping illegal sales channels and combating unauthorised online sales.
