JOHOR BARU: Malaysia is moving towards a full vaping ban by the end of 2026, says Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (pic).
He said the ministry aimed to finalise the policy amid growing concerns over vaping’s impact on public health, especially mental health.
“It is not about whether we ban vape or not, but when,” he told reporters after visiting Hospital Permai here yesterday.
Dzulkefly said the ministry would target an implementation of the ban by mid-2026 or the end of the year at the latest, subject to completing necessary regulatory and legislative processes.
He said the ministry missed tabling the matter at a recent Cabinet meeting.
“We are looking at early 2026 to bring this back to the Cabinet,” he said.
He added that the Cabinet had earlier agreed in principle on banning vape products nationwide.
Dzulkefly cited rising concerns over the use of adulterated vape liquids and synthetic substances, which have been linked to drug-induced psychosis and other mental health conditions.
The issue, he said, is being monitored by a special committee led by the ministry’s public health division in collaboration with medical experts.
He said lifestyle factors, including substance abuse, are major contributors to mental health challenges, describing the matter as multifactorial but increasingly worrying.
“These are recognised medical realities and they strengthen the case for firm policy action,” he added.
Dzulkefly stressed that the move towards banning vape products is consistent with existing health policies and is not a sudden shift in direction.
“This is not a knee-jerk reaction. The policies and standard operating procedures are already in place and have been ongoing.
“What we are doing now is moving towards a decisive end point,” he said.
He also said the ministry is aligned with recommendations made by medical bodies, including the Malaysian Medical Association, on the need for stricter control and eventual prohibition of vape products.
During the visit, Dzulkefly toured Hospital Permai, one of the country’s four psychiatric hospitals.
He praised its “no wrong door” policy, which allows patients to receive specialist mental health care even without formal referrals.
He said the approach reflected the urgency of addressing mental health issues holistically, alongside preventive measures such as curbing substance abuse.
“Everything is interconnected – lifestyle, substance use, and mental health. Addressing one without the other will not be effective,” he noted.
Separately, Dzulkefly said the Johor government has been asked to submit a formal proposal to develop affordable housing on 145ha of land in Kempas which belongs to the ministry.
He said the ministry had received a formal request on Dec 4 from the Johor Land and Mines Department to consider the site for housing projects.
“The Johor government can now proceed with a formal proposal. We are on the same page and supportive of efforts to provide affordable housing for the community,” he added.
