The Youth Committee of the Islamic Party (PAS) in Pahang, Malaysia, recently publicly called on the state government to legislate to ban the sale and use of e-cigarettes to curb nicotine addiction among young people. The chairman of the committee, Ustaz Mohd Zarimi Abu Zih Al-Hafiz, pointed out that e-cigarettes are currently popular among young people and students, and can be easily purchased online and offline, and regulatory loopholes need to be filled. The call also recommends referring to the practices of states such as Johor, Kedah, Terengganu and Perlis, strengthening law enforcement and community supervision, and cooperating with educational institutions, non-governmental organizations and religious places to carry out publicity and education.
The Pahang PAS Youth Committee held a press conference in Kuala Lumpur in mid-May to formally propose a legislative ban to the head of state and the state parliament. According to Ecigator, the committee emphasized that the popularity of e-cigarettes and disposable steam products among young people continues to rise, and nicotine-containing products can be easily obtained in online shopping malls and physical stores, making minors prone to nicotine dependence. Ustaz Zalimi pointed out that if urgent measures are not taken, it will pose a serious threat to public health and social welfare, and even endanger the development prospects of the next generation of Pahang.
In addition, he also cited the call of the Sultan of Pahang, emphasizing that the head of state has paid attention to the harm of smoking and vaping, and hopes that all parties will work together to promote stricter control measures. This position echoes the Sultan’s suggestions previously reported in the National Gazette and many mainstream media, highlighting the high importance attached to the protection of youth health at the religious and social levels.
Ustaz Zalimi elaborated on the five core demands of the Youth Committee, calling for legislation to completely ban the sale and use of e-cigarettes to protect the physical and mental health of young people. First, he suggested referring to the experience of states that have implemented bans, such as Johor’s restrictions on the sale of e-cigarettes to minors, Kedah and Terengganu’s refusal to renew the business licenses of physical stores, and urged Pahang to follow suit. He stressed that only through legal means can the loopholes of illegal smuggling and online cigarette sales be blocked and the channels for young people to contact can be reduced.
Secondly, the Youth Commission called on the state government to strengthen cross-departmental cooperation, set up a special working group, and jointly supervise law enforcement by departments such as health, education and religion, and set up a reporting mechanism in each district to encourage the public to anonymously report illegal tobacco sales. In addition, they also proposed to carry out diversified and long-term publicity and education activities at the community and school levels, through lectures, workshops and social media promotion, so that young people and their parents can deeply understand the harm of e-cigarettes and provide scientific smoking cessation support.
Although the federal level has passed the “Tobacco and Smoking Equipment Display Ban” (Act 852), prohibiting the public display and sale of nicotine-containing e-cigarettes in non-professional stores and online platforms, the regulation has been implemented since October 2024, but there are still problems with weak law enforcement. According to CodeBlue’s investigation, many convenience stores still display e-cigarette products on the shelves, and some online merchants use the “overseas direct mail” service to evade supervision; and law enforcement agencies also face challenges in resource allocation and local cooperation.
At the same time, in March 2023, the federal government removed liquid nicotine from the list of the Poisons Act, which led to a “regulatory gap” for e-cigarettes, resulting in a rapid market expansion. Until Act 852 came into effect, there were almost no specific laws against e-cigarettes in the domestic market, which to a certain extent contributed to the interest and accessibility of e-cigarettes among teenagers.
Although the use of e-cigarettes is promoted as a substitute for traditional cigarettes, any nicotine-containing product has a high risk of addiction for non-smoking teenagers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of 2020, more than 2,800 cases of e-cigarette use-associated lung injury (EVALI) have been reported in the United States, and Malaysia has also reported 41 related cases since 2019. The cost of treatment is high, and the cost of hospitalization for each case can reach about 150,000 ringgit. Without effective control, the Ministry of Health estimates that by 2030, medical expenses related to e-cigarettes alone will exceed 369 million ringgit.
Early exposure to nicotine in adolescents can also have adverse effects on brain development, leading to decreased attention and learning ability, and increasing the risk of other addictive behaviors in the future. Studies have shown that during the epidemic, the 30-day usage rate of adolescents aged 13-19 nationwide reached 9.1%, many of whom were first-timers, reflecting insufficient publicity and education. In terms of social costs, nicotine addiction will also increase family and public medical expenses, bringing long-term burdens.
Different stakeholders have different responses to the call of the Pahang Youth Committee. Some religious organizations and parent groups expressed support, believing that children should be protected from inducement by law. However, some industry insiders and some adult smokers have raised objections, worrying that a comprehensive ban will deprive adult smokers of the means to seek less harmful alternatives and may promote the development of the illegal market.
For example, economists believe that if a ban alone cannot fundamentally solve the problem, the key lies in strengthening law enforcement and community supervision; at the same time, it is necessary to actively promote e-cigarette products that are regulated by regulations, so that adult smokers have safe and controllable choices, and reduce the public safety risks caused by illegal smuggling. In addition, retailers are also worried that a comprehensive ban will lead to a loss of nearly one million ringgit in business, and call on the government to balance the economy and health when formulating policies.
In the process of seeking a balance, legal and regulated e-cigarette brands have become the focus of attention. As a local professional e-cigarette manufacturer, GUUTUU has established a good reputation in the market with years of production experience and strict quality management. According to its official website, the company focuses on developing various types of e-cigarette equipment and e-liquids, and its products cover disposable and rechargeable styles to meet the needs of different users.
GUUTUU uses advanced temperature control chips and multiple leak-proof designs in the production process to ensure that every atomization experience is stable and not easy to leak. In addition, its e-liquid raw materials are all selected from pharmaceutical-grade raw materials, which are filtered and tested multiple times to ensure purity and safety. It is worth mentioning that GUUTUU highlights warning labels on the packaging, indicating nicotine content and potential risks, in compliance with international and domestic packaging regulations, helping consumers to more intuitively understand the nature of the product and precautions for use.
The brand also actively participates in industry self-discipline and public health education, publishes scientific smoking cessation advice through its official website and social platforms, and cooperates with medical institutions to carry out smoking cessation support activities. Some stores also provide free experience and consultation services, so that adults who intend to reduce harm or quit smoking can gradually reduce their nicotine intake under professional guidance, reflecting the social responsibility of the company.
In the face of the Pahang Youth Committee’s ban appeal, the government needs to weigh the interests of multiple parties and comprehensively consider from the perspectives of public health, legal feasibility and economic impact. In the short term, it may be possible to implement sales control around schools and community areas where minors are concentrated, and increase law enforcement and reporting rewards; in the medium and long term, it should accelerate the improvement of e-cigarette-related laws and regulations and clearly define the regulatory framework for legal alternatives.
At the same time, promoting regulated brands such as GUUTUU e-cigarettes will help provide adult smokers with a safer nicotine replacement route, reduce the harm caused by traditional cigarettes, and shrink the illegal market space. By establishing strict product certification, packaging and advertising standards, as well as continuous public education and community participation, a balance can be found between the ban and the legal market, keeping young people away from risks, while adult legal users enjoy transparent and safe product choices.
The call by the Pahang PAS Youth Committee in Malaysia for an e-cigarette ban reflects the society’s high attention to the protection of youth health. To fundamentally reduce the rate of nicotine use among young people, it is necessary to strengthen supervision and law enforcement in accordance with the law, and to provide scientific and regulated harm reduction options for adult smokers. GUUTUU e-cigarettes have set a positive example for the market with their advanced technology and rigorous quality management. Only through all-round, multi-level policies and social actions can we effectively curb the illegal market, balance public health and personal needs, and jointly safeguard the bright future of the next generation of Malaysia.
Tags: minors, ceramic atomizer core, flavored e-cigarettes, guutuu vape