PUTRAJAYA, Jan 6 — The Health Ministry (MOH) aims to implement a vape ban this year, beginning with open pod systems, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
He said they would not compromise in enforcing the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852).
“Regarding the issue of cigarettes and vaping, my stance remains unchanged. The full enforcement of this Act is our moral responsibility to protect future generations from the threat of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and conditions such as popcorn lung.
“I have issued warnings on this matter before, particularly concerning open-system vapes. While several measures may be taken, the first step is to ban the open pod system, which has been abused through the use of various synthetic drugs,” Dr Dzulkefly told the media after delivering his 2026 New Year's message today.
He added that the ban would cover both the sale and use of open pod system vape products, and that the matter would be brought to a Cabinet meeting in the near future.
In other developments, Dr Dzulkefly said the Rakan KKM initiative, which offers premium-economy-class healthcare services at selected government hospitals, is expected to launch in the first quarter of this year.
“By the first quarter of 2026, we will begin accepting the first patients under the Rakan KKM initiative.
“This ‘premium-economy’ model allows for cross-subsidies, which will help retain medical specialists within the public healthcare system," he said.
Cyberjaya Hospital will be the first MOH facility to offer the service, before it is expanded to other hospitals nationwide.
