It says this is an important health issue.

The hike was especially pronounced among sweet flavours favoured by young users of e-cigarettes, also called vapes.

This follows the government's move to delist liquid nicotine as a poisonous substance and to refer the 'endgame' bill for further scrutiny.

The number of teenagers found to be vaping has increased from 9.8% in 2017 to 14.9% in 2022.

It will be tabled for a first reading by Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa.

Tanjong Karang MP Zulkafperi Hanapi says it is a matter of urgent and public importance.

Vape and e-cigarettes should be treated similar to tobacco products and cigarettes but remain unregulated and unrestricted.

The ban may form part of a new anti-smoking plan the health ministry is working on for the coming five years.

Malaysia should emulate Australia, where nicotine vaping products are classified as presecription-only medicines.

They say the law itself will give them 'the green light' to vape if nicotine is delisted as a controlled substance under the Poisons Act.

Galen Centre says vulnerable individuals like children cannot be protected when laws like the Tobacco and Smoking Control Bill remain unpassed in Parliament.

A tax rate of 36% will be placed on the production or import of e-cigarettes, while an 11% tax will be placed on the wholesale distribution of e-cigarettes.