Malaysia’s Vape Tax Revenue Falls Short of Health Costs
Excise Revenue from Nicotine Vapes
Malaysia collected RM209.5 million (US$50.07 million) in excise duty on nicotine-containing vape liquids and gels from April 2023 to August 2025, according to data from the Ministry of Finance.
Key Points
-
Tax revenue: RM209.5 million (US$50.07 million) collected between April 2023 and August 2025.
-
Treatment costs: RM223.5 million (US$53.42 million) spent treating EVALI patients in the past year.
-
Average cost per case: RM150,892.11, with an average hospitalisation period of 12 days.
-
New cases: Six severe EVALI cases recorded since October 2024.
-
Cumulative data: 46 EVALI cases reported nationwide from 2019 to September 2025.
Health Costs Outweigh Vape Tax Income
Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad revealed that the government spent RM223.5 million in the past year treating patients with e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI), a figure that exceeds total vape tax revenue.
“The average treatment cost per EVALI patient is RM150,892.11, with an average hospitalisation period of 12 days,” he said in a written parliamentary reply to Datuk Alias Razak (PN–Kuala Nerus).
Background on Vape Tax Implementation
The excise duty on nicotine-containing vape liquids and gels was first introduced on April 1, 2023, at a rate of 40 sen per millilitre. Alias Razak had asked the Finance Ministry to provide comparative figures for nicotine tax collection and EVALI treatment costs over the same period.
EVALI Cases and Public Health Monitoring
Dr Dzulkefly added that since the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 came into effect on October 1, 2024, six severe EVALI-related lung complications have been reported up to September 2025.
Overall, from 2019 to September 2025. Malaysia has recorded 46 EVALI cases nationwide. The Health Ministry pledged to continue monitoring the health impacts of vape use and to strengthen control measures through full enforcement of the Act.
Follow us to get more updates: @zumo.official
