Malaysia Will Ban Vapes; Singapore Increases Penalties

The Malaysian government announced last week it intends to ban the sale of all vaping products. The ban will be implemented in stages, beginning with open-system (refillable) products.

Meanwhile, Malaysia's neighboring country Singapore is strengthening its existing ban by increasing penalties for violators. Singapore prohibits not just sales, but also use and possession of vapes. Most illicit vaping products enter Singapore through its border with Malaysia.

Much of the impetus for the actions in both countries comes from a fast-moving moral panic over vapes containing illegal substances, including methamphetamine and cannabinoids in Malaysia, and a sedative called etomidate in Singapore.

In Southeast Asia, vape bans are common. Only The Philippines has a fully legal and regulated vape market.

Malaysia abandons plan for a regulated vape market

While the legality of nicotine vaping products in Malaysia is confusing, the country of 35.5 million has had a thriving vape market for many years. Despite occasional police raids, vape shops are common in many Malaysian cities, and the country boasts a large domestic e-liquid industry.

In 2023, the government announced it would legalize and regulate vapes. Last year it passed a bill providing some reassurance to the country’s vape industry. But just months later, the government began sending confusing signals about whether it would continue to support legal vaping.

With the federal government waffling, some of Malaysia’s 13 states took action on their own, with federal permission. Six states---Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis, Kedah, and Pahang---have banned vape sales or restricted licensing for sellers, most of them just this year. 

Finally, on Sept. 10, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad announced that the health ministry will present a vape prohibition proposal to the cabinet for approval, according to the New Straits Times. 

The government plans to roll out the ban in stages, beginning with open-system products like bottled e-liquid and refillable vape devices. The health ministry has provided no timeline for the ban, but said it would make a formal proposal to the cabinet by the end of the year.

“It is no longer a question of if we ban, but when we ban,” said the health minister.

In Singapore, Kpod panic and more punishment for all vapers

Personal possession and use of vapes were outlawed in Singapore in 2018. Unlike most countries with strict vape bans, Singapore really tries to enforce its law. Between January 2024 and March 2025, 18,000 people were caught by authorities in possession of vapes. The country’s Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and Ministry of Health said that, during that same period, the government seized over $41 million worth of vaping products.

Those figures are especially shocking considering Singapore has just six million residents.

Singapore is a parliamentary republic, but the government has been controlled by a single party since 1959. Its justice system is harsh, speedy and unforgiving, and includes caning for numerous crimes and capital punishment for some drug offenses.

Recently, Singapore has experienced a panic over sales of vapes containing etomidate—-an anesthetic commonly used in medical procedures. Because of its similarity to ketamine, etomidate-containing vapes are called Kpods in Singapore. This spring and summer, Singaporean newspapers were full of stories about teenagers behaving erratically due to supposed widespread Kpod use.

Following the Kpod panic, the government has reclassified etomidate as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act, and increased penalties for trafficking the drug, according to Channel News Asia.

Kpod importers will now face a minimum of three years in jail and five cane strokes, and up to 20 years and 15 strokes. Sellers can get up to 10 years in prison and five cane strokes.

But ordinary nicotine vapers will also face harsher penalties. Beginning Sept. 1, fines have increased from 300 Singapore dollars (for minors) and S$500 (for adults) to S$500 and S$700.

Repeat offenders can be forced to attend rehabilitation programs lasting up to three months. For those caught with etomidate-containing vapes (Kpods), rehab programs can last twice as long. Second-time offenders are arrested and placed under six months of supervision with mandatory urine tests. Third-time offenders over age 16 face rehab, followed by a year of drug testing and supervision.

The Singapore health ministry announced on Sept. 8 that in the first week following the adoption of harsher penalties, 232 people were caught with vapes, 14 of which were confirmed to contain etomidate.