(Oct 28): Putrajaya is looking to ban vaping in the future, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam, following concerns over its health benefits.

He said efforts are being made to have legislation to regulate the usage of vaping, which has gained popularity among Malaysians, with a reported one million vape users.

"Our long term plan is to ban vaping, we are working towards this in terms of legislation on how to do this.

"We are studying a few measures, we will choose the most appropriate ones.

"If this is up to me, I want to do this quickly because I feel we need to put a stop to this before it becomes a big issue," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

Vaping is a multi-million ringgit industry in Malaysia, with many small traders selling e-cigarette parts and flavours in a fast growing industry.

Traders not only set up stalls on five-foot ways and in night markets, some are selling vape online in social networks like Facebook.

The Star recently reported that Malaysia's vape industry is estimated to be the second largest in the world after the United States, and the biggest in Asia.

Vaping is also cheaper, cutting cost for chain smokers.

The health ministry is currently studying the effects of e-cigarettes on the human body.

Malaysian Medical Association president Dr Ashok Philips was recently reported as saying that the medical profession would support a ban on vaping devices and the flavoured nicotine liquid until research determines that they are indeed harmful.

The National Fatwa Council, meanwhile, has declared vaping "haram", or prohibited, because it was dangerous, wasteful and harmful to health. – The Malaysian Insider