Malaysia health ministry to push cabinet for nationwide vape ban

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (MNTV) — Malaysia’s Health Ministry is pressing ahead with plans to implement a total vape ban, warning that the country’s healthcare costs linked to vaping-related illnesses could surge to 400 million Malaysian ringgit ($95 million) by 2030, up from 244.8 million ringgit ($57 million) today, reports Malay Mail.

Deputy Health Minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni said the ministry is preparing to submit a cabinet memorandum to advance the proposal.

“According to a Revelatory Impact Analysis (RIA) we conducted, the estimated cost for treating diseases linked to e-cigarettes, such as EVALI, has already reached 244.8 million ringgit,” Lukanisman said.

EVALI refers to e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury, a serious respiratory condition linked to prolonged vape use.

Lukanisman said the ministry plans to submit a joint memorandum to the cabinet seeking approval for a total vape ban, emphasizing that Malaysia cannot afford to continue spending public resources on vape-related diseases.

“If this continues, we may be forced to spend more than 400 million ringgit ($95 million) by 2030,” he warned.

He added that it would be better for Malaysia to follow other ASEAN nations such as Brunei, Singapore, and Laos, which have already banned vaping products.

“Rather than fighting a war on both traditional cigarettes and vapes, it is better for us to eliminate one of the existing harms now,” he said.

Lukanisman noted that 37 countries have already outlawed vapes, citing a global shift toward bans as governments confront the rising costs of youth addiction and long-term healthcare.

“The world is recognizing that the financial and social costs of vaping outweigh any perceived benefits,” he said.