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E-cigarette vaping in Malaysia

Profile
Malaysia Flag
Cigarettes
Traditional Smokeless
HTP
E-cigarettes
Snus
Pouches
NRT
Malaysia Background
Profile
Malaysia Flag
Cigarettes
Traditional Smokeless
HTP
E-cigarettes
Snus
Pouches
NRT
Data sourced: 2025.   Page updated: 2026-08-10

E-cigarettes are allowed in Malaysia. However, there are some legal restrictions that manufacturers and users must follow. People cannot purchase e-cigarettes through online channels or vending machines. There are also legal restrictions on vaping in public places, and the minimum legal age for purchasing e-cigarettes is 18 years. Manufacturers are required to notify the authorities before introducing new products to the market. There are no restrictions on flavours, but nicotine content must not exceed 20 mg/ml.

In 2023, the current prevalence of vaping among adults in Malaysia was 5.8% (0.8% among females and 10.5% among males). This shows an increasing trend in recent years and represents an estimated 1.5 million vapers in 2023.

Prevalence

Year Value Reference/Comment
2016 721,706 1A A
2023 1.5 million 1B
References:
  1. 1. Ab Rahman, J. et al. (2019) "The Prevalence of E-Cigarette Use Among Adults in Malaysia: Findings From the 2016 National E-Cigarette Survey", Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health. doi: 10.1177/1010539519834735. 2. Calculation based on population size data of people over 15 years of age (16+). Source of population data: World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
  2. 1. Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2023 cited in WHO. (2025). WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2024 and projections 2025–2030 (6th edn). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240116276 2. Calculation based on population size data of people over 15 years of age (16+). Source of population data: World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
Comments:
  1. A nationwide survey among 4288 Malaysian adults (18 and over) was conducted in 2016 to measure the prevalence and to describe the population characteristics of e-cigarette users. A complex sampling design was used, and data were collected using a face-to-face questionnaire. The prevalence of all type of e-cigarette use was higher in urban than in rural areas. Current e-cigarette users were likely to be younger, males, and with higher education level. Among current e-cigarette users, 74% (95% CI = 64-82) also smoked conventional cigarettes (dual user). World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
Year Value Reference/Comment
2016 3.2% 2A A
2023 5.8% 2B
References:
  1. Ab Rahman, J. et al. (2019) "The Prevalence of E-Cigarette Use Among Adults in Malaysia: Findings From the 2016 National E-Cigarette Survey", Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health. doi: 10.1177/1010539519834735.
  2. Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2023 cited in WHO. (2025). WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2024 and projections 2025–2030 (6th edn). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240116276
Comments:
  1. A nationwide survey among 4288 Malaysian adults (18 and over) was conducted in 2016 to measure the prevalence and to describe the population characteristics of e-cigarette users. A complex sampling design was used, and data were collected using a face-to-face questionnaire. The prevalence of all type of e-cigarette use was higher in urban than in rural areas. Current e-cigarette users were likely to be younger, males, and with higher education level. Among current e-cigarette users, 74% (95% CI = 64-82) also smoked conventional cigarettes (dual user).
0.8%
2
2023
10.5%
2
2023
11.9%
3 A
2016
References:
  1. 1. Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2023 cited in WHO. (2025). WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2024 and projections 2025–2030 (6th edn). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240116276 2. Calculation based on population size data of people over 15 years of age (16+). Source of population data: World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
  2. Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2023 cited in WHO. (2025). WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2024 and projections 2025–2030 (6th edn). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240116276
  3. Ab Rahman, J. et al. (2019) "The Prevalence of E-Cigarette Use Among Adults in Malaysia: Findings From the 2016 National E-Cigarette Survey", Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health. doi: 10.1177/1010539519834735.
Comments:
  1. A nationwide survey among 4288 Malaysian adults (18 and over) was conducted in 2016 to measure the prevalence and to describe the population characteristics of e-cigarette users. A complex sampling design was used, and data were collected using a face-to-face questionnaire. The prevalence of all type of e-cigarette use was higher in urban than in rural areas. Current e-cigarette users were likely to be younger, males, and with higher education level. Among current e-cigarette users, 74% (95% CI = 64-82) also smoked conventional cigarettes (dual user).

Regulation

Year Value Reference/Comment
2017 or earlier Allowed 1A
2025 Allowed 1B
References:
  1. Data cross-referenced where possible using the following sources :1. Vapetrotter website. Available at: https://www.vapetrotter.com/laws/ ; 2. Global tobacco control website. Available at:https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/node/14052 ; 3. Tobacco Control Laws website. Available at : https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/
  2. Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction Malaysia. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/malaysia/e-cigarettes/main-policies. Accessed: 23 July 2026.
Yes
2
No
2
References:
  1. Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction Malaysia. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/malaysia/e-cigarettes/main-policies. Accessed: 23 July 2026.
  2. Data cross-referenced where possible using the following sources :1. Vapetrotter website. Available at: https://www.vapetrotter.com/laws/ ; 2. Global tobacco control website. Available at:https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/node/14052 ; 3. Tobacco Control Laws website. Available at : https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/

Availability

References:
  1. Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction Malaysia. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/malaysia/e-cigarettes/main-policies. Accessed: 23 July 2026.

Regulations and restrictions

Year Value Reference/Comment
2017 or earlier YES
2025 YES 1A
References:
  1. Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction Malaysia. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/malaysia/e-cigarettes/main-policies. Accessed: 23 July 2026.
YES
1
2025
Year Value Reference/Comment
2017 or earlier Yes: 18 years
2021 Yes: 18 years 2A
References:
  1. Global Tobacco Control. Country Laws Regulating E-Cigarettes. Available at: https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/en/policy-scan/e-cigarettes/countries?country=108. Accessed: 24 July 2026.
NO
1
2025
Year Value Reference/Comment
2025 20 mg/ml 3A
2025 20 mg/ml (2%) 3B A
References:
  1. Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction Malaysia. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/malaysia/e-cigarettes/main-policies. Accessed: 23 July 2026.
  2. https://www.federalgazette.agc.gov.my/outputp/pua_20240905_Act850.pdf
Comments:
  1. Nicotine Cap (Effective Oct 1, 2025): The maximum permissible nicotine concentration in e-liquids will be capped at 20 mg/ml (2%), reduced from the previous, higher limit of 35 mg/ml.. In force
Year Value Reference/Comment
2017 or earlier YES
2025 YES 1A
References:
  1. Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction Malaysia. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/malaysia/e-cigarettes/main-policies. Accessed: 23 July 2026.
References:
  1. Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction Malaysia. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/malaysia/e-cigarettes/main-policies. Accessed: 23 July 2026.
  2. Global Tobacco Control. Country Laws Regulating E-Cigarettes. Available at: https://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/en/policy-scan/e-cigarettes/countries?country=108. Accessed: 24 July 2026.
  3. https://www.federalgazette.agc.gov.my/outputp/pua_20240905_Act850.pdf
Comments:
  1. Nicotine Cap (Effective Oct 1, 2025): The maximum permissible nicotine concentration in e-liquids will be capped at 20 mg/ml (2%), reduced from the previous, higher limit of 35 mg/ml.. In force

Perception of harm

References:
  1. Chan, C. M. H., Ab Rahman, J., Guat Hiong, T., Lei Hum, W., Bee Kiau, H., Robson, N. Z. M. H., � Nik Mohamed, M. H. (2019). Perception of Harms and Benefits of Electronic Cigarettes Among Adult Malaysian Men: A Comparison by Electronic Cigarette Use and Smoking Status. Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health. https://doi.org/10.1177/1010539519860730

Publications

Prevalence of Current Smoking Cigarettes and Current Vaping

Prevalence of Current Smoking Cigarettes and Current Vaping

- Burning Issues: The Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction 2020

Overall, as a percentage of the total adult population, current use of vaping devices in different countries ranges between 1% and 7%. As shown by this graphic there are eight countries where the prevalence of vaping is 3% or more including the UK, United Arab Emirates (UAE), US, France, Iceland, Belgium, the Russian Federation and Malaysia. The average prevalence of current vaping product use is 1.6 % of the adult population in the EU, as found in the EU Eurobarometer survey. A further 13% “used to use them, but no longer do so” or “have tried them once or twice”. 85.6% “have never tried or used them”. Levels of sometime vaping experience range up to 27% of the adult population in Greece, and 20% or above in Estonia, Czech Republic, France, Cyprus, Latvia and Austria. Clearly, there are many smokers who are interested in these products. But there is also a large gap between those who have shown enough interest to have tried vaping at some time, and those who have gone on to currently vape.

See also p.50 of the report: Burning Issues: The Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction 2020

The GSTHR database is updated regularly by our team. However, please be aware that the information we provide does not constitute legal advice. We cannot guarantee that the information is up to date or accurate, as the regulatory status of different product categories can change at short notice and with little publicity. If you wish to check the legal status of use or possession of any safer nicotine product in a specific country or region, you should verify the information independently. If you have reason to think that the information supplied on the GSTHR is inaccurate, please contact us with details and any references and we will rectify any errors.