Kuala Lumpur: The Ministry of Health (MOH) has set up a special committee to address the misuse of electronic cigarettes or vape, particularly among school students, said Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. He stated that the committee was formed in response to several viral incidents on social media involving student vape use, as well as cases that led to the deaths of vape users.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr Dzulkefly mentioned that the committee will convene soon to present its views and recommendations to him. This announcement was made during a press conference held after the 2025 National Midwives and Nurses Day celebration. The ministry’s Public Health Division (BKA) is currently evaluating the effectiveness of existing enforcement and legislation related to vape misuse.

The committee, chaired by deputy director-general (Public Health) Dr Ismuni Bohari along with public health consultant Prof Datuk Dr Lokman Hakim Sulaiman, will review the findings and discussions. Dr Dzulkefly emphasized the importance of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) in the efforts to curb vape usage.

He highlighted ongoing assessments of the impact of current regulations and the surveillance of vape-related cases. Recently, a 10-second video went viral showing school students using vape devices in a surau, while another video featured an individual who claimed to have suffered health complications due to vape addiction before passing away last Wednesday.