The Act was gazetted in February after receiving royal assent a month earlier. However, it has yet to come into force.

Section 1(2) of Act 852 states that the Act will come into operation on a date to be appointed by the minister by notification in the government gazette.

Until the Act is in force, nicotine vape products remain legal for sale to minors aged below 18 years.

Dzulkefly acknowledged that the findings of the 2023 Global Adult Tobacco Survey, released today, showed a worrying trend of e-cigarette use among young adults, notably those aged between 15 and 24.

“There’s a need for necessary and immediate action. God willing, we will enforce Act 852 as a response to the surge in vape (users),” he told a press conference here today.

“From there, we hope we will be able to curb the proliferation of e-cigarette or vape users among young adults.”

Dzulkefly’s predecessor, Dr Zaliha Mustafa, signed an order last year to remove liquid or gel nicotine from the list of controlled substances under the Poisons Act 1952.