Kuala lumpur: The Ministry of Health (MOH) is set to launch the Op Selamat Paru-Paru (Op Selamat PaPa) on August 1, aiming to enhance the enforcement of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852), with a specific focus on electronic cigarettes and vape products, as announced in the Dewan Rakyat today.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad stated that the operation’s goal is to protect not just men, who constitute the majority of smokers, but also women and other family members who are exposed to second-hand smoke. The initiative comes in light of data from the National Cancer Registry, which recorded 8,091 lung cancer cases between 2022 and 2023, involving 5,251 men and 2,840 women.

Dr Dzulkefly noted the ministry’s support for several state governments’ decisions not to renew licences for vape-selling premises. In response to a supplementary question from Young Syefura Othman (PH-Bentong), he mentioned that the MOH is considering an immediate ban on open systems that allow vape liquids to be altered with illicit substances.

He revealed that as of June 2025, 58 investigation papers were opened, with nearly 70% testing positive for illicit substances in vape liquids, including methamphetamine and synthetic cannabinoids. At a subsequent press conference, Dr Dzulkefly highlighted that the ministry is contemplating a total ban on the use and sale of vapes in Malaysia.

He explained that Act 852 serves as a regulatory framework and does not cover prohibition, indicating that any ban would require a new proposal. Dr Dzulkefly emphasized that such a proposal would consider factors like scientific evidence, cases of Electronic Cigarette or Vaping Use-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI), legal aspects, industry and economic implications, and the effectiveness of enforcement.