Despite the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) being in effect for over four months, vape products continue to be sold online in Malaysia. While direct searches for “vapes” yield no results, these products can still be found through specific brand searches. On social media platforms, various vape items are marketed in e-commerce sections.
Sellers label them as “pods” and price them as low as RM10. Similarly, suspicious liquids labeled as “mushrooms” are openly advertised, with sellers claiming these products can guarantee passing urine tests. “Mushroom juices” are also marketed within closed groups, offering postage and self-pickup services.
These liquids, packaged in small bottles with droppers, are sold from RM60, with quantities of 5ml and 10ml. The National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) confirmed in January that these “magic mushroom” liquids are processed from cannabis and are often misused in vaping. In contrast, some physical stores are complying with Act 852 regulations.
During checks in the Klang Valley, several vape stores were found adhering to the new rules. Ramli, an employee at a local vape store, mentioned that they have heavily tinted the glass at their outlets to obscure their products from view, well before the April 1 grace period deadline.
Vape sales persist despite legal barriers
Fauzi, another store employee, stated that internal briefings were conducted to educate staff about the regulations. Measures taken included tinting windows and glass doors and removing posters near windows to ensure compliance. Convenience stores have also repositioned vape products to locked containers behind counters.
Anti-smoking groups are calling for more aggressive policing by authorities and platform operators. Dr. M. Murallitharan, president of the Malaysia Council for Tobacco Control, emphasized that Act 852 clearly bans the online sale of such products and questioned how their online presence is being monitored.
Muhammad Sha’ani Abdullah, the tobacco and smoking control coordinator for the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations, described the situation as concerning. He warned that easy access to such substances could lead to crimes and other vices. N.V. Subbarow, education officer for the Consumers Association of Penang, echoed these concerns, calling for urgent action to curb vape addiction.
“Any delay in tackling the issue will be very dangerous for the young and our future generations,” he said. Act 852, which commenced its first phase on October 1 last year, will see further phases enforced on April 1 and October 1 this year. The Act aims to regulate the registration, sale, packaging, labeling, and prohibition of smoking in public places.
