Perak Halts Issuance of New Vape Sales Licenses
A member of the Perak State Executive Council in Malaysia stated that the Perak state government has stopped issuing new vape sales licenses since January of this year. Existing licenses that have not yet expired may continue operating until their expiration date. The state government plans to gradually achieve a complete ban on vape sales by October 2026 at the latest.
Key Points at a Glance
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Goal: Perak, Malaysia, aims to gradually achieve a complete ban on vape sales by October 2026 at the latest.
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Licensing Measures: From January 1, 2026, local governments will no longer issue any new vape sales licenses.
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Transition Arrangement: Existing licenses that have not yet expired can continue to operate until their expiration date.
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Federal Developments: The federal government is studying amendments to the tobacco control law to ban vapes nationwide; the amended legislation is expected to be submitted to Parliament soon.
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Enforcement: After the ban takes effect, those who continue to sell vapes illegally will face legal action by local governments.
State Government Confirms Timeline for Gradual Vape Ban
January 5, 2026 – According to Oriental Daily News, Datuk A. Sivanesan, a member of the Perak State Executive Council, stated that the state government will gradually achieve the goal of eliminating vape sales by October 2026 at the latest, as vape operators were given clear notice in October 2025.
Nationwide Ban Would Supersede State Transition Measures
Sivanesan noted that if the federal government completes amendments to the law and officially gazettes them before the state’s deadline, a nationwide vape ban would take precedence, and Perak’s transitional arrangements would no longer apply.
Federal Government Advancing Tobacco Control Law Amendments
He stated that the federal government has begun studying amendments to relevant tobacco control laws to ban vapes nationwide. According to Sivanesan, the Minister of Health is taking the issue seriously, and research and legal reviews have already been completed by the Attorney General’s Chambers. The amended legislation is expected to be submitted to Parliament soon.
Public Health Concerns Drive Preventive Licensing Measures
Sivanesan explained that, in the absence of a complete federal ban, the Perak state government has acted within its authority by halting the issuance of new vape sales licenses as a preventive measure. Police studies indicate that some businesses are abusing the current system by supplying substances unsuitable for vape use, posing health risks—particularly to young people. He added that vapes are widely available and easily purchased, even in department stores.
January 2026 Cutoff for New Vape Licenses
He announced that, effective January 1, 2026, all local governments in Perak will cease issuing new vape sales licenses. Businesses holding valid, unexpired licenses may continue operating until those licenses expire.
Gradual Phase-Out and Monitoring of Federal Progress
Sivanesan emphasized the need for a reasonable transition period, noting that licenses issued as late as December 2025 could remain valid for up to 11 months. This necessitates a gradual phase-out while closely monitoring progress on federal legislation.
Advance Notice Given on Inventory and License Expiry
Regarding vape inventory after licenses expire. Sivanesan said businesses were notified as early as October 2025 that licenses would not be renewed and should therefore have made advance arrangements.
Impact on Businesses and Employee Livelihoods
He revealed that some vape companies had appealed to him over concerns about losing their livelihoods. Sivanesan stated that the government has provided sufficient time for businesses to transition and that operators are aware they cannot continue vape sales after the transition period. He stressed that the ban will not affect employees’ employment or salaries, citing convenience store staff as an example, since such employees sell a range of products and employers cannot reduce wages due to the vape ban.
Legal Action for Post-Ban Violations
Sivanesan warned that any businesses continuing to sell vapes after the ban takes effect will be subject to legal action by local governments.
Health Ministry Signals Mid-to-Late 2026 National Ban
Previously, Malaysia’s Minister of Health stated that the cabinet had agreed in principle to move toward a vape ban. According to the Ministry of Health, the remaining issue is not whether to ban vapes, but the specific implementation timeline, with plans pointing to mid-to-late 2026.
