Vape-related drug cases in Sarawak have recorded a sharp increase over the past three years, with seizures in the first four months of 2026 alone exceeding RM700,000.
Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said statistics from the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department showed vape-related drug cases rose from four cases in 2023 to 14 cases in 2025.
“Enforcement efforts under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) is being further strengthened, particularly involving sales to minors, advertising, promotion and youth access to smoking products,” she said.
She was replying to supplementary questions raised by Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng Jin Ek in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly today.
Fatimah said that between January and May this year, four minors were issued compounds for illegally purchasing smoking products, while 253 minors were charged for smoking or vaping offences.
“During the same period, three vendors were also charged for selling smoking products to minors,” she said.
On intervention efforts, Fatimah said 34 programmes were implemented statewide throughout 2025 focusing on prevention, education and awareness initiatives aimed at discouraging youth involvement in vaping activities.
“These programmes included advocacy campaigns, school and community outreach activities, health awareness talks, and collaborative programmes involving enforcement agencies, educational institutions and community organisations,” she said.
