Public health advocates urge Malaysian government to ban vapes following Oxford study; research shows vaping doubles risk of serious lung disease among 250,000 participants

May 12, 2025 (New Straits Times) –

LUQMAN HAKIM

news@nst.com.my KUALA LUMPUR : PUBLIC health advocates and civil society groups have called on the government to consider clamping down or even implementing an outright ban on vapes in the country.

Their call comes in the wake of a recently released study published by Oxford University , which showed that vaping could more than double the risk of serious lung disease.

The study, published on March 15 and involved almost 250,000 participants, found that people who vaped, even without a history of smoking, were 2.29 times as likely to develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Experts told the New Straits Times that the study’s findings should compel Malaysian authorities to reassess their strategy on the sale of vape products in the country to safeguard public health.

Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) senior vice-chairman Datuk Seri Ayub Yaakob said the foundation had long urged authorities to prohibit the import, sale and use of vapes in the country due to their harmful effects.

“The risks associated with vaping are well known, and several of our neighbouring countries have already taken steps to ban its use and distribution,” he said, citing the example set by Singapore and Thailand .

Ayub said Malaysia should not allow the vape industry to develop unchecked, warning that its long-term impact could be even more damaging than the nation’s ongoing battle with drug abuse.

“If we allow vaping to become a business opportunity, the consequences could be more severe than what we have faced with drugs.

“Even after decades, we have not been able to completely wipe out drug abuse in this country,” he said.

He expressed concern that the widespread availability of vape products could expose children and teenagers to harmful substances, with some reportedly starting as young as 12.

“We urge the authorities to re-evaluate the decision to allow vape products in Malaysia . Prevention is far better than cure.

“The cost of treating vape-related illnesses or managing its social impact may far exceed any short-term economic gain.” Ayub also warned that the vape market, driven by evolving chemical formulations, could become increasingly difficult to regulate.

He said enforcement would be more challenging as these products continued to change form and composition, making it harder for the authorities to keep up.

“We cannot risk the health of the public just to protect the interests of a few. This recent finding from Oxford University should compel the government to act decisively,” he added.

However, Malaysia Society for Harm Reduction (MSHR) chairman Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh said an outright ban might not be the answer.

She said while vaping was never meant for non-smokers and should not be used by them, banning vape products without simultaneously addressing tobacco use could drive users back to cigarettes or illicit vape products.

Sharifa said while the Oxford University study reinforced the health risks of vaping, the findings did not specify crucial factors such as the content of the vape liquid, nicotine dosage, types of flavouring, coil power and duration of use — all of which could significantly influence health outcomes.

“The government can ban vape, but such a move must also come with a simultaneous ban on cigarettes. If not, vape users may revert to smoking or worse, turn to cheaper, illegal tobacco products that are more harmful and widely available,” she said.

Sharifa cautioned that outright bans, without strong enforcement and proper regulation, could backfire, citing countries like India , Australia and Thailand , where illicit vape markets had flourished.

She added that the United States and Thailand were also facing challenges due to political and economic interests, including ties to the tobacco industry.

“Singapore has successfully banned vape due to its low smoking population, strong regulatory framework and low corruption rates. But Malaysia is in a very different position.” She cited the United Kingdom for its more balanced approach, where vaping was permitted under strict regulation and quality control.

“If Malaysia’s illicit black market can be reduced, then this might be the right time to consider banning both vape and tobacco cigarettes.” She said vaping had no benefit for non-smokers and was ultimately wasteful and harmful.

“This study showed that vapers are more likely to develop COPD within roughly four years compared to non-vapers.

“That’s why we strongly discourage non-smokers from picking up the habit."

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the ministry was studying the matter.

“I am seriously looking into the matter at the moment,” he said in a brief reply to the New Straits Times.