5 deaths possibly related to vaping reported in Malaysia since 2019
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Malaysia's Health Ministry received 83 reported disease cases linked to smoking products, including vapes, as at June 2025.
ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO
Follow topic:
KUALA LUMPUR – A total of five deaths potentially linked to the use of electronic cigarettes or vapes were reported in Malaysia between 2019 and June 2025, said Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad.
In a parliamentary written reply, Dr Dzulkefly said his ministry had received a total of 83 reported cases of diseases linked to the use of smoking products, including e-cigarettes or vapes, as at June 2025.
“Of these, 44 cases involved serious complications affecting the lungs, while the remaining 39 cases involved other health complications not directly related to the lungs.
“Although there have been deaths involving individuals who used e-cigarettes or vapes, a direct causal link between vape use and the cause of death is difficult to confirm, due to limited clinical evidence and other contributing factors,” he said in reply to a question raised by Mr Wan Razali Wan Nor, the Perikatan Nasional MP for Kuantan.
Mr Wan Razali had asked the Health Ministry to reveal the number of deaths related to the use of e-cigarettes and vapes.
He had also asked the ministry to share about its efforts in curbing the use of these products among teenagers and children.
The ministry, said Dr Dzulkefly, is strengthening its surveillance system to better identify the true causes of death associated with these smoking products.
“This effort is in line with the implementation of Section 21 of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852), which gives the minister the authority to ban or restrict the import, manufacturing, distribution or sale of smoking products, based on the recommendations of a committee established under that section,” he said.
To curb the use of e-cigarettes and vapes among teenagers and children, the Health Ministry has taken several measures, including enforcing the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 as well as the Regulations and Orders under it to protect children and teenagers from being exposed to and influenced by smoking habits, Dr Dzulkefly added.
The ministry is also implementing a strict prohibition on the sale and purchase of all smoking products, including e-cigarettes and vapes, especially to those who are underage, he said.
“As at June 2025, a total of 27 offence notices have been issued, with a compound value of RM1,350 (S$412), prohibition on the use of all smoking products by those who are underage, with 2,619 offence notices issued and a compound value of RM130,950,” he explained.
In addition, the Health Ministry has implemented prevention and smoking cessation intervention programmes for students through the Oral Health Without Smoking Practice Programme, also known as Kotak.
In 2024, some 230 primary school pupils were identified with smoking problems, and 193 of them underwent smoking cessation intervention programmes, Dr Dzulkefly said.
“Meanwhile, for secondary school students, 44,211 were identified with smoking problems and 36,870 have undergone smoking cessation interventions.
“Smoking cessation services are also provided through Quit Smoking Clinics (KBM) and One Stop Centres for Addiction (Osca) at 857 (KBM) and 111 Osca across the country.
“Parents or guardians can bring children who are involved in smoking or using electronic cigarettes or vapes to these clinics to get professional treatment and cessation support,” Dr Dzulkefly said. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
