Malaysia is the latest country to aim for a total ban on vejping. Preparations for tough new rules 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 lobbied for by local medical organisations.
As Vejpkollen previously reported, Malaysia has a fairly large vejp industry. It is valued at 4.13 billion Ringgit Malaysia (the official currency, which is equivalent to about SEK 9.8 billion) but has been facing major changes for a while as the new Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act is due to come into force. This law would prohibit the sale, purchase and services related to tobacco products and substitutes, including e-cigarettes, to persons under 18 years of age, as well as limit the volume of 1TP8 liquids. The size of bottles would be reduced to 15ml and 3ml for disposable products - a sharp reduction compared to current standards. This has led to concerns within the industry, with smaller players at risk of being completely squeezed out.
Complete ban
This summer, the country's health minister, Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, has announced that the government is formally considering a complete ban instead. He said in parliament that an expert group has already been set up and that legal, financial and licensing issues need to be investigated before any national law change can be implemented, according to The Edge Malaysia.
The Health Minister says the ban should be considered both at the federal level and in line with the states that have already taken action themselves - such as Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis and Kedah, which have stopped new licences or imposed regional bans.
Pressure from doctors' organisations
In May 2025, the influential Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) (a professional medical organisation) called for a total ban at national level. The MMA claims that e-cigarettes are associated with health risks. At the same time, nicotine-containing e-cigarettes have proven to be a much more effective smoking cessation tool compared to nicotine replacement therapy. Despite this, nicotine replacement therapy has been promoted by several medical organisations as the only safe tool for smoking cessation, creating conflict within the medical community.
About 22% of the population in Malaysia smokes. And critics say the cigarette trade and the associated tobacco industry are being left out of the discussion when nicotine product bans are being discussed in Asian countries.
Illegal trade in nicotine
In the past, the Malaysian government has made several unsuccessful attempts to introduce a so-called generational ban, whereby people born after a certain year would never be allowed to buy nicotine products. That bill was withdrawn after legal and political criticism, but now the direction seems to be towards a general ban.
Malaysia already has a ban on nicotine in e-liquid, but illegal sales have exploded. In the absence of regulation and controlled sales, the market has been flooded with imported products from China and other parts of Asia. Several health groups have therefore long been pushing for a total ban.
Young people are becoming more vulnerable
But there are also organisations raising their voices against a total ban. The Malaysian Vape Chamber of Commerce has warned that a total ban would push young people even further into the arms of the black market, where products are unregulated, less safe and more likely to reach minors. The Malaysian Retail Electronic Cigarette Association has called for stronger enforcement rather than a ban - with a focus on closing illegal sales channels and combating unauthorised online trade.
