MOH Targets Nationwide Vape Ban by Mid 2026 and Launches JomLapor Platform

By Nesamalar Kathirvellu

KUALA LUMPUR, 27 September 2025: The Ministry of Health (MOH) is targeting the prohibition of all electronic cigarette and vape sales nationwide by mid 2026, Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad announced yesterday. The Minister confirmed the MOH’s commitment to the ban but stressed that implementation would follow a phased approach.

“I hope this can be done by mid 2026. If not, it will definitely be by the second half of next year,” Dzulkefly said after launching the National Blueprint for Behavioural Insights in Health. He noted that the Ministry is currently drafting a Cabinet Memorandum (MJM) to ensure the ban’s thorough and effective execution.

The prohibition will be introduced in stages, beginning with a ban on open system vaping devices and liquids before being extended to cover all types of electronic cigarettes and related products. Despite various factors that need consideration, the Minister reiterated the Ministry’s firm resolve to implement the ban.

Malaysians now have a secure, official method to report smoking and vaping violations, eliminating the need for risky direct confrontations. The Ministry of Health (MOH), in collaboration with the National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM) and several NGOs, has introduced JomLapor, a new online platform for the public to report breaches of tobacco control laws.

This initiative follows recent incidents, such as one in Shah Alam where a pregnant woman and her husband faced harassment including having smoke blown in her face after politely asking a man not to smoke in an eatery. JomLapor was created to provide a safer alternative to taking matters into one’s own hands.

JomLapor allows users to quickly and securely report various violations, including smoking in prohibited zones, illegal sales to minors, and unlawful promotions or advertisements. The platform is accessible directly through any phone or computer browser, requiring no specific application download.

The reporting process is designed for clarity and conciseness:

1. Access the Form: Select Jom Lapor Sekarang (Let’s Report Now).
2. Identify Violation: Choose the specific violation category (e.g., smoking in a no-smoking zone, sales to minors, illegal advertisement).
3. Upload Evidence: Attach up to three photos as supporting evidence.
4. Detail Location: Provide the name of the location, event, or social media account.
5. State and Address: Select the state and add the exact physical address of the incident.
6. Description: Briefly describe the incident in your own words.
7. Submit: Hit Hantar (Send) to finalize the report.

This streamlined process ensures that the public can contribute to tobacco control enforcement quickly and securely, safeguarding community health without personal risk.