JOHOR BAHRU, Dec 16 — The government will ban e-cigarettes and vape products, with the Cabinet Memorandum (MJM) to be tabled early next year, said Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad.
He said the MJM is being finalised for submission to the Cabinet as it could not be presented at a previous meeting.
“We are moving towards a ban. The main question is the timing. I am confident it will be as soon as possible, by mid-2026 or at the latest by the end of next year,” he told a press conference after visiting Permai Hospital here today.
Dzulkefly said the government is going ahead with the ban due to rising health risks linked to vape use, including liquids contaminated with banned substances such as synthetic cannabis.
He added that a special committee, chaired by Health Ministry deputy director-general (public health) Dr Ismuni Bohari and public health consultant Prof Datuk Dr Lokman Hakim Sulaiman, is studying the societal effects and legal implications of the ban.
Earlier, Dzulkefly said in a written reply to the Dewan Negara that the ban would be implemented in stages, starting with open-system devices before being expanded to cover all types of vape products.
