MOH To Launch Op Selamat PaPa On Aug 1

KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Health (MOH) will launch the Op Selamat Paru-Paru (Op Selamat PaPa) on Aug 1 to strengthen enforcement of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852), particularly involving electronic cigarettes or vape, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the operation not only aims to protect men, who make up the majority of smokers, but also women and other family members exposed to second-hand smoke or passive smoking.

“Data from the National Cancer Registry shows that 8,091 cases of lung cancer were recorded between 2022 and 2023, involving 5,251 men and 2,840 women,” he said when replying to a question from Datuk Ahmad Saad (PN-Pokok Sena).

Dzulkefly said the MOH welcomes and supports the decision by several state governments not to renew licences for premises selling vape products.

Replying to a supplementary question from Young Syefura Othman (PH-Bentong), he said the ministry is reviewing an immediate ban on the use of open systems that allow vape liquids to be modified or contaminated with illicit substances.

“As of June 2025, a total of 58 investigation papers have been opened, and nearly 70 per cent of them tested positive for illicit substances in vape liquids, including methamphetamine and synthetic cannabinoids,” he said.

Dzulkefly told a press conference later that the ministry is studying in detail the move towards a total ban on the use and sale of vapes in Malaysia.

“Act 852 is a regulatory law and does not address the issue of prohibition, so if a ban is to be implemented, it must be based on a new proposal,” he said.

He added that any proposal for a full ban would take into account various factors, including scientific evidence, Electronic Cigarette or Vaping Use-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI) cases, legal aspects, implications for industry and the economy, as well as enforcement effectiveness.

-- BERNAMA