Malaysia to Launch “Save the Lungs” Enforcement Campaign in August, Plans Legislation to Ban Open-System E-cigarettes

Key points:

·Law enforcement action initiated: The Malaysian Ministry of Health will launch Operation Selamat Paru-Paru on August 1 to strengthen e-cigarette regulation. 

·Lung cancer data: From 2022 to 2023, there were 8091 cases of lung cancer in Malaysia, with 5251 cases in males and 2840 cases in females. 

·State government measures: Some state governments have decided to no longer renew e-cigarette sales licenses, a move welcomed by the Health Minister. 

·Ban on open systems: The Ministry of Health is considering implementing a ban on open systems due to their allowing users to add unregulated substances. 

·Case investigations: As of June 2025, a total of 58 e-cigarette cases have been investigated, with nearly 70% of e-liquids testing positive for prohibited substances. 

·Consideration of a comprehensive ban: The Ministry of Health is considering implementing a more extensive comprehensive ban, prohibiting the use and sale of e-cigarette products, requiring new legislative proposals.

【2Firsts News Flash】According to thevibes.com's report on July 28, the Malaysian Ministry of Health will be launching a nationwide enforcement operation, Op Selamat Paru-Paru (Operation Save Lungs), on August 1 to strengthen the implementation of the Public Health (Control of Tobacco Products) Regulations 2024 (Act 852), with a focus on regulating e-cigarettes.

Minister of Health Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad stated that the initiative aims not only to protect predominantly male smokers, but also hopes to safeguard women and children who are exposed to the harms of secondhand smoke. According to data from the National Cancer Registry, there were 8,091 cases of lung cancer recorded between 2022 and 2023, including 5,251 male cases and 2,840 female cases.

Zucciferri welcomed the decisions of several state governments to no longer renew e-cigarette sales licenses, referring to it as a "positive step" in supporting public health.

Zuki Fili revealed that the Ministry of Health is considering immediately implementing a ban on open system e-cigarettes, which allow users to modify or add unregulated substances.

“As of June 2025, a total of 58 cases have been investigated. Nearly 70% of the e-liquids tested were found to contain prohibited substances, including methamphetamine and synthetic cannabinoids.”

He said.

Health Minister Zulkipli revealed in a subsequent press conference that the Ministry of Health is considering implementing a broader and long-term comprehensive ban on the use and sale of e-cigarette products in Malaysia. He further clarified that Act 852 is a regulatory law and does not include provisions for a ban on sales. If a total ban is to be imposed, a new legislative proposal would need to be put forward.

He added that any proposed bans will take into consideration various factors, including scientific and medical data, cases of lung damage related to e-cigarette use, legal implications, economic impacts on the e-cigarette industry, and the feasibility of enforcement.