Malaysia’s Health Ministry targets vape ban by mid-2026, says minister
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
The final timeline would depend on Cabinet’s approval, but the Health Ministry will continue to push for a ban by setting the deadline for mid-2026.
PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
Follow topic:
CYBERJAYA – Malaysia’s Health Ministry remains committed to efforts towards banning vape products, with a target set for mid-2026, says Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
The Health Minister said the ministry was taking a phased approach on the matter.
“We are taking a phased approach. The effort is ultimately to finally ban vape. But I cannot pre-empt the Cabinet’s decision,” he said in a press conference in Malaysia on Sept 25.
Datuk Seri Dzulkelfy added that an expert committee has provided its recommendations on the ban of vape products.
“The expert committee is looking into the matter in detail. And when we table the memorandum, all the recommendations will be presented,” he said.
On Sept 11, Dr Dzulkefly said the Health Ministry was finalising a Cabinet memorandum on the proposed vape ban but could not disclose details until it had been deliberated at the Cabinet level.
Dr Dzulkefly further elaborated that the final timeline would depend on Cabinet’s approval but the ministry will continue to push for a ban by setting the deadline for mid-2026.
“I am hoping it is going to be somewhere in middle of next year. If not, then in the second half of 2026 but we definitely want to ban them,” he added. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
