A growing number of Malaysian states are taking individual action to prohibit the sale of e-cigarettes and vaping products, even as these items are legal and taxed at the federal level. These state-level initiatives primarily involve refusing to issue or renew business licenses for vape retailers, effectively creating de facto sales bans within their jurisdictions.
The states that have implemented or are moving towards vape sales prohibitions include:
- Johor: Has maintained a ban on the sale of e-cigarettes and vapes since January 1, 2016, by not issuing new business licenses for such activities.
- Kelantan: Has reportedly never approved specific business licenses for vape shops, effectively prohibiting their sale since 2015/2016.
- Terengganu: Announced it will ban the sale of e-cigarettes and vapes from August 1, 2025, by not issuing or renewing relevant business licenses.
- Perlis: The Perlis Fatwa Committee has issued an edict banning e-cigarettes and vapes, and the state is expected to align with Terengganu's August 1, 2025, sales ban implementation.
- Kedah: Plans to stop issuing new licenses for vape sales and will not renew existing ones upon expiry, aiming for a full cessation of sales by 2026.
Additionally, other states are actively deliberating similar measures:
- Selangor: Currently discussing a proposal to ban the sale of e-cigarettes and vapes, with ongoing stakeholder consultations.
- Penang: The state government is reportedly open to banning vape sales and is awaiting a formal proposal.
These state-level actions highlight a growing concern over vaping, often citing youth uptake and public health, contrasting with the federal government's approach of regulation and taxation under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852).
