Key points
• Plan: Malaysia’s MOH aims to implement a vape ban in 2026, starting with open pod systems
• Law: MOH will not compromise on enforcing Act 852
• Scope: open pod system ban would cover both sale and use
• Next step: proposal to be brought to a Cabinet meeting soon
• Other update: Rakan KKM expected to launch in Q1 2026; Cyberjaya Hospital first, then expansion nationwide
2Firsts, January 6, 2026 – According to Bernama (Malaysia’s national news agency), Malaysia’s Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the Ministry of Health (MOH) is aiming to implement a vape ban, beginning with open pod systems, this year.
He said the ministry would not compromise in enforcing the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852). He said his stance on cigarettes and vaping remains unchanged and that full enforcement of the Act is a moral responsibility to protect future generations from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and conditions such as popcorn lung.
Speaking to the media in Putrajaya after delivering the 2026 New Year message, Dzulkefly said he had issued warnings before, particularly about open-system vapes, and that the first step is to ban the open pod system, which has been abused through the use of various synthetic drugs.
He said the ban would cover both the sale and use of open pod system vape products, and added that the matter would be brought to a Cabinet meeting in the near future.
Image source: Bernama
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