The Malaysian state of Pahang has officially banned the use of electronic cigarettes (vapes) within its territory. The decision follows a religious edict (fatwa) issued by the Pahang Mufti's Department prohibiting vape use, which was subsequently endorsed by the state government and received the consent of the Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.
Datuk Seri Syed Ibrahim Syed Ahmad, Chairman of the State Committee for Islamic Religious Affairs, Rural Development, and Orang Asli Affairs, announced the ban. He stated the fatwa was formally conveyed in March and approved by the Pahang State Executive Council on May 14. The Sultan had previously expressed concerns about widespread vape usage and its potential links to rising drug abuse, especially among youth, calling for a total ban in November 2024.
Syed Ibrahim has called on relevant authorities to enforce the new regulation gradually, with an initial focus on educating the public to refrain from vaping. This move positions Pahang alongside other Malaysian states that have implemented similar prohibitions on e-cigarettes.
