According to a report by The Star on May 8, 2023, the Malaysian National Anti-Drug Agency (Masac) has proposed to only allow locally-produced vape e-liquids sold in sealed glass bottles in the country. Masac Secretary-General Raja Azizan Suhaimi stated that the use of glass bottles can minimize the risk of adding harmful substances.
A joint study by Masac, the Asian Centre for Drug Policy and the International Islamic University Malaysia found that more and more teenage girls are using e-liquids containing illicit substances.
Raja Azizan also proposed raising the age limit for vapes from 18 to 21 to minimize the abuse of e-liquids that may contain drugs.
So far, only 10 manufacturers of liquid nicotine have registered with the customs department, even though the registration deadline is April 30, 2023.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim revealed in the revised 2023 budget in February that e-liquids containing nicotine are still illegally sold in the country, with estimated sales of RM2 billion.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Zaliha Mustafa stated that the revision of the “Tobacco Control and Smoking Bill,” which aims to gradually raise the smoking age to cover the entire population, will be accelerated and redeveloped.
