GEORGE TOWN: The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) has renewed its call for a nationwide ban on vape and e-cigarettes, expressing frustration over the delay by several states in implementing such a prohibition.
As 2025 draws to a close, CAP senior education officer and anti-smoking activist N.V. Subbarow said CAP, along with parents and teachers, was still waiting for states such as Penang, Perak, the Federal Territories, Negri Sembilan, Melaka, Sabah, and Sarawak to announce a comprehensive ban on vaping products.
“Why the delay? This is not a trivial issue — the health of our young generation is at stake.
“During CAP’s recent campaign, we found that the use of vape and e-cigarettes remains widespread among schoolchildren in Penang and Perak. What was once more common in national-type schools has now spread to vernacular and other primary schools. Previously, the vaping issue was confined to certain school types, but now it is spreading across all communities.
“This clearly shows that the problem is worsening, not improving,” he told the New Straits Times.
To date, Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis, Kedah, and Pahang have already imposed bans, which include halting the issuance or renewal of licences for the sale of electronic cigarettes.
However, Subbarow expressed disappointment that other states had yet to follow suit, despite mounting evidence of the health risks and rising medical costs linked to vaping.
Deputy Health Minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni recently disclosed that, according to a Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA), the government had spent an estimated RM244.8 million on treating vaping-related diseases, including EVALI — e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury.
“Do we really want to keep spending public funds on treating diseases caused by an unhealthy habit? Every day of delay means more young people becoming addicted and greater health risks ahead,” he said.
Subbarow urged the remaining states to act swiftly and decisively, warning that further postponement could undermine efforts to protect children from nicotine addiction.
“The health of future generations is far more important than individual profit. Let’s not wait until it’s too late,” he added.
It was previously reported that Penang might consider imposing a state-wide ban on the sale of vape products next year if enforcement under the new smoking control law proves ineffective.
State Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi reaffirmed the state government’s firm stance against vaping, particularly among minors, and stressed that Penang discouraged the sale of smoking products, especially electronic cigarettes, in line with its public health agenda.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
