THE Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has called for a total nationwide ban on vaping and e-cigarette products, saying a comprehensive national ban is the only viable course of action to safeguard public health.
This is given the well-documented harmful—and potentially harmful—health effects, the high risk of abuse, their addictive nature and significant healthcare costs associated with treating conditions such as e-cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury (EVALI).
“We commend the state governments of Johor, Terengganu, Kelantan, and most recently Perlis for taking decisive action to safeguard public health by banning the sale of vaping products or restricting the issuance of business licenses for their sale,” its president Datuk Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira said.
“These actions reflect a growing recognition of the serious health risks posed by vaping and e-cigarette products, particularly to our youth. To ensure consistent protection for all Malaysians, we strongly urge the federal government to implement a nationwide ban on the sale of vaping and e-cigarette products.
“Public health must take precedence over profit, and we cannot allow these harmful products to jeopardise the well-being of future generations.”
Dr Kalwinder noted that while a federal ban on vape products may require legislative amendments, this should not delay urgent action.
“State governments could go ahead and implement state-level bans without hesitation to protect the health and future of their communities,” he remarked.
“Cases of lung injury linked to vape and e-cigarette use have already been reported in Malaysia, with treatment costs for each patient reaching six-figures—a significant burden on taxpayers and the national healthcare system.”
According to the Health Ministry, a total of 41 EVALI cases have been reported from 2019 until 2024 and it is costing the government RM150,000 to treat each case.
In addition to this, the National Poison Centre recorded 111 cases of incidents related to exposure to e-cigarettes or vape liquids from 2015 to 2023.
“These figures will further increase or potentially skyrocket if vaping continues to be permitted,” Dr Kalwinder warned.
Alarmingly, e-cigarette users had increased by 600% over 12 years according to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey 2023. According to the study, the prevalence of e-cigarette or vape use among those in the 15-24 age group increased from 1.1% in 2011 to 8.6% in 2023.
“Due to vape’s availability in various attractive flavours, it isn’t surprising that vape addiction also begins at a young age,” Dr Kalwinder continued.
“Close to 20,000 cases of students vaping in schools were reported in the country last year. This is despite the age restriction on the sale of vaping and e-cigarette products.
“We are also deeply concerned over reports on students as young as 13 years old who were caught using vapes containing substances mixed with drugs.
“The MMA strongly urges the government to take decisive action by implementing a nationwide ban on vaping and e-cigarette products.
“We must put the health of our people—especially our youth—above all else. Now is the time to act with courage and responsibility, for the sake of current and future generations.” – May 16, 2025
Main image: NST
