KUALA LUMPUR: Vape liquid prices may rise by 1,000% under a proposed tax hike to curb widespread buying
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni said the Health Ministry proposed this to the Finance Ministry for Budget 2026.
“It is proposed the vape liquid tax, currently 40 sen per ml, is raised to RM4 per ml,” he told the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Oct 7).
He was responding to Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan (Perikatan-Tasek Gelugor) on measures to curb vaping while the government works towards a ban.
Lukanisman said one cigarette stick is roughly 10 puffs, while 1 ml of vape liquid equals about 100 puffs.
The current excise duty of 40 sen per ml applies to all vape liquids, regardless of nicotine content, since May 1, 2023.
He said nicotine remains regulated under the Poisons Act 1952.
“The previous exemption applied only to liquid or gel preparations containing nicotine intended for smoking,” he added.
Lukanisman said e‑cigarette liquids are now under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024.
He said Act 852 took effect on October 1 this year.
Lukanisman replied to Datuk Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi (Perikatan-Tanjong Karang) on reinstating nicotine to the National Poisons List.
He said vape has become a serious public health issue affecting youths and students.
Act 852 covers registration, advertising, sale, packaging, labelling, price control and manufacturing of all smoking products.
Under Section 3, all smoking products, including vapes, must be registered with the Health Ministry before import, manufacture or distribution.
“Failure to do so is an offence and may result in a fine, imprisonment or both,” he said.
He said any ban on vape must be implemented before more health cases increase and added that existing data shows 46 EVALI cases linked to smoking products, including vapes.
“We do not yet have detailed disease data related to vape, as research is ongoing,” he said.
He noted Singapore, Brunei and Laos have fully banned vape and urged similar action.
“It is better to wage war against one harm rather than battle cigarettes and vape simultaneously,” he added.
He replied to Datuk Shamshulkahar Mohd Deli (Barisan Nasional-Jempol) on clinical research classifying harms of vaping.
