Calls are growing in Malaysia for authorities there to take a similarly tough approach as Singapore against vaping.

Current regulations in Malaysia does not prohibit the sale or use of e-vaporisers. Instead, the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act only restricts sale, packaging and labelling of tobacco products and smoking devices, including e-vaporisers. 

Malaysian Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said that there were almost 20,000 cases of students vaping in schools in 2024.

On July 28,  Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad told Malaysian Parliament that Putrajaya is considering a nationwide ban on the use and sale of e-cigarettes or vapes.

Earlier, Dzulkefly had reportedly told Malaysian media that his ministry's priority was to tighten controls, including mandatory product registration.

Malaysian media outlet Malaysiakini reported Dzulkefly as saying that this led to 80 per cent of vapes and e-cigarette products being removed from the market.

Singapore gets tough on vaping and laced vapes

On Aug 17, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced that Singapore will toughen its stance towards vaping, treating it as a drug issue, with stiffer penalties.

Although vaping has been banned in Singapore since 2018, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) still seized more than $41 million worth of e-vaporisers and related components between January 2024 and March 2025.

Of late, there have been growing concerns on etomidate-laced vapes in Singapore, with youths seen behaving erratically after using such devices.

On July 30, Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam announced that the ministry will be classifying etomidate as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act as an "interim measure".

Etomidate is currently classified as a poison that is regulated under the Poisons Act in Singapore. 

Apart from jail sentences and more severe punishments for those who sell vapes with harmful substances, Singapore has also been stepping up enforcement.