KUCHING: Sarawak aims to establish the Electronic Cigarette and Vape Monitoring Committee (JPIV) by the first quarter of 2026 as part of efforts to curb the misuse of electronic cigarettes and vape products.
Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, said the committee would oversee and monitor the implementation of prevention and advocacy programmes once approval is obtained from the State Cabinet.
She said proposals for prevention and advocacy programmes on electronic cigarette and vape misuse, presented by the Sarawak State Health Department, had already been agreed to.
“The implementation of these programmes will be carried out through collaboration with a special committee, namely JPIV, which will be established as agreed by the State Cabinet,” she said.
Fatimah told the media this after the monthly report meeting of the One Stop Committee (OSC) on Drugs and Substance Abuse (MIDS) Sarawak at Wisma Bapa here today.
In addition to the establishment of the committee, the meeting also approved the Electronic Cigarette and Vape Misuse Prevention and Advocacy Programme, the Integrated Drug Abuse Enforcement and Intervention Programme in Sarawak, as well as the establishment of private rehabilitation centres in the state.
As such, Fatimah said the implementation of these initiatives was expected to strengthen the state government’s efforts in raising public awareness, preventing early misuse of vape and drugs, and building a healthier and safer society.
Previously, the government reiterated its commitment to implement a full ban on electronic cigarettes or vape products, with a Cabinet Memorandum (MJM) on the matter expected to be tabled early next year.
Health Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, said the memorandum is currently being finalised before submission to the Cabinet, after it was not tabled during a previous Cabinet meeting.
“Our main focus is prohibition. In my view, it needs to be implemented as soon as possible, expected by mid-2026 or at the latest by the end of next year,” he was reported as saying.
