KUCHING – The Sarawak government is considering implementing a statewide ban on vape products amid growing concern over their misuse, particularly among youngsters. This move was endorsed unanimously during recent sessions of the National Drug Eradication Action Council (MTMD) held in Serian, Sibu, and Miri, said State Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, in a press conference on Wednesday.
Abdul Karim, who also chairs Sarawak’s chapter of the Malaysian Drug Prevention Association (Pemadam), noted that while vaping started as a perceived safer alternative to smoking, it has increasingly become a tool for drug consumption.
“Previously, vape was seen as merely an alternative to smoking, but now it is widely misused for drug consumption and other substances. That is why the government must look into this matter seriously, and at the state level, we have agreed unanimously to ban vape,” he said.
He emphasized that fatwas issued by religious authorities against vaping are insufficient without accompanying legislation. A legal framework is essential to criminalize vape use effectively, he added.
Abdul Karim also revealed alarming statistics: some 20,000 students nationwide were caught vaping in schools between 2024 and 2025. The prevalence among Sarawak youths aged 13–17 is notably high, with one in five (20.3%) having vaped in 2022—amounting to approximately 39,608 individuals.
He warned that flavoured vapes attract youth and may lead them toward harder drugs. Consequently, he called for a robust strategy combining enforcement, regulation, and education.
“We must clamp down hard on those who misuse vape for drugs,” he warned.
Sarawak’s proposal aligns with similar anti-vape actions in other states and recent federal concerns over the connection between vaping and drug abuse . The state Health Ministry has also welcomed stricter vape regulations.
The state government plans to pursue this legislative effort to protect youth and combat the emerging public health and drug misuse crisis linked to vaping.
