Recently, vape bans have dominated the headlines, as Pahang, Johor, Kelantan, and Terengganu took decisive steps in banning the sale of vapes and vape-related products within their jurisdictions.
At a time when vaping is fast becoming a serious public health crisis, especially among young people, these states are showing real leadership.
They are not waiting around for federal directives or shifting public opinion. They are acting in the interest of their rakyat. And for that, they deserve credit.
But let’s be honest. it is still not enough.
The hard truth is, vaping has become far too normalised. It is everywhere. For many teenagers, vape products, with their flashy packaging, attractive flavours, and easy availability, have become an everyday obsession. Worryingly, behind the trend lies something far more sinister: addiction.
Many still think that vape is the “healthier” option. It isn’t. Vapes contain nicotine, sometimes in higher concentrations than traditional cigarettes, along with chemicals that can damage lungs and harm brain development, especially in teenagers whose brains are still maturing.
The packaging might look harmless, but what is inside is anything but. Worse, these products are frighteningly easy to access, and that is why more young people are getting hooked.
A 2022 survey revealed nearly 15 per cent of Malaysian teenagers have tried vaping, and that number has likely climbed over the years since. The worrying part? Nationally, vaping remains legal, widely available, and even taxed, giving it an air of legitimacy it absolutely doesn’t deserve.
The Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA) has made it clear: there is no scientific evidence that vaping works as a cessation tool.
Instead, it brings a host of health problems from respiratory illnesses to nicotine addiction to mental health struggles among young users who use vape products regularly.
Unlike smoking, which has been controlled by decades of public health campaigns and strict regulations, vaping has slipped through the cracks. And for too long, our approach to its risks has not been decisive enough.
We actually had a chance to fix this. It was called the Generational End Game (GEG), a bold, forward-thinking policy to ban the sale of tobacco and vape products to anyone born from 2007 onwards.
It was a shot at breaking the addiction cycle before it starts, and to reshape Malaysia’s public health future.
But instead of embracing it, we shelved it. The government hesitated. Enforcement concerns were raised, industry pushback got louder, and ultimately, we got a watered-down law, which could potentially have been a more decisive step forward in advocating a healthier generation. Regulations are now in place to control at the very least
What the GEG aimed to do nationally is now being attempted piecemeal by these four states. And while they should be commended, a patchwork approach isn’t enough.
Some states are stepping up, while others remain wide open to vape sales. This inconsistency sends mixed signals, leaving thousands of young Malaysians exposed and vulnerable.
With each day that we delay, more young lives are lost to addiction. The federal government cannot afford to remain passive. It must follow the lead of these states and implement a nationwide ban on vape sales.
Reintroduce the GEG with clear, practical timelines and tough enforcement. Work with doctors, teachers, and parents to launch awareness campaigns.
This isn’t just about policy: it is about people. It’s about our youth. It’s about whether we have the courage to put their health ahead of corporate profits.
At the end of the day, this isn’t about power or politics. It is about the future of our country. Every day that vape products remain legal and accessible is another day that we allow addiction to root itself in our schools, our families, and our communities. We like to say our youth are our future, but are we really protecting them?
50Public health should be political. Because good politics is about protecting people. And right now, this isn’t just a policy debate.
It is personal. It is about the lungs of our children, the futures of our teenagers, and the families who will one day mourn what could have been prevented.
Every day we keep vape products legal and accessible, we are gambling with young lives. We are choosing profits over people. The longer we delay, the more futures we quietly lose.
It is time for courage, It is time for leadership. Because in the end, no industry interest, no political calculation, and no excuse is worth more than the health of our nation, especially that of our children.
Because protecting public health isn’t just good policy. It is the right thing to do.
- This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of CodeBlue.
