PETALING JAYA: The Health Ministry is drafting a Cabinet Memorandum to ensure that the ban on electronic cigarettes or vaping is planned comprehensively.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said further details of the ban will be presented to the Cabinet once the draft is complete.
He urged Malaysians to be patient in waiting for further announcements, which will include the timing and methodology of the ban.
“I cannot preempt the decision that will be made by the Cabinet.
“The Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) has strongly supported this initiative and has asked me to ensure that it is orderly and will be presented at the right time,” he told a press conference after launching the national-level World Breastfeeding Week celebration here yesterday, Bernama reported.
On Aug 23, Dzulkefly said the Cabinet Memorandum regarding the vaping ban would be presented to the Cabinet by the end of the year.
He said the ministry had already presented an initial proposal report from the expert committee during a Cabinet meeting.
Meanwhile, Dzulkefly hoped for more private hospitals to implement the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) to support breastfeeding.
According to him, 128 government hospitals (100%) have achieved BFHI recognition, whereas only 31 out of 180 private hospitals (17.2%) have received the same recognition.
He emphasised that exclusive breastfeeding during the first 1,000 days of life significantly impacts physical growth, brain development, disease protection and serves as the most effective intervention for establishing a foundation for long-term health.
The minister said this aligns with the goals of the National Nutrition Policy to reduce the prevalence of non-communicable diseases related to nutrition and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals 2030.
