The improper disposal of vapes in Malaysia is emerging as a major environmental risk, with experts warning of fire hazards, toxic contamination, and increasing e-waste.
With more than 1.4 million adult vapers and hundreds of thousands of minors using e-cigarettes, Malaysia is facing mounting concerns over vape litter, The Straits Times reported. Improperly discarded devices are contributing to environmental and health hazards, including the leakage of toxic chemicals, lithium batteries, and hazardous residues into soil and water.
Fire and Rescue Department director-general Nor Hisham Mohammad emphasized the dangers of disposal through regular waste channels. "Most contain small lithium-ion batteries. If tossed into regular bins, they can cause fires in garbage trucks or landfills," he said. He added that damaged or overheated batteries in the waste stream could ignite, and cartridges may contain nicotine, metals, and other harmful chemicals that can contaminate soil and water.
Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation CEO Khalid Mohamed said a 2023 survey of 25 landfills across seven states showed hazardous household waste accounted for 1.15 percent of landfill waste. Of this, e-waste made up 0.83 percent, while the remaining 0.32 percent comprised batteries, aerosol cans, and other items.
Environmental and waste management specialist Theng Lee Chong warned that vape pods often resemble plastic products and are unlikely to be sorted for recycling. As a result, they typically end up in landfills, where their non-biodegradable materials can contaminate soil and water systems. He cautioned that these hazardous components could harm human health over time.
The lithium batteries in the vape pods are also flammable and can cause explosions, he added, calling for take-back programs by vape retailers to ensure safe disposal.
E-waste recycler Mohamed Tarek said one vape company had already introduced a take-back program, through which thousands of pods have been collected.
Calls for tighter vaping regulations are growing in Malaysia, with some urging penalties similar to Singapore, where repeat offenders now face fines of up to SGD2,000 (US$1,561) under rules effective Sept. 1, Channel News Asia reported.
Currently, Malaysia's Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act only regulates the sale, packaging, and labelling of e-cigarettes and vaping products, without prohibiting their use, according to AsiaOne.
Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh reported nearly 20,000 cases of student vaping in schools in 2024. In July, Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad told Parliament that the government is considering a nationwide ban on the sale and use of e-cigarettes. For now, vaping remains legal in some states.