THE Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) has reiterated its support for a nationwide ban on vaping products following the emergence of a new synthetic drug known as “Piu Piu”, which authorities have detected being mixed into electronic cigarette liquids.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said the drug contains a mixture of fentanyl and psychoactive chemical substances capable of producing severe intoxicating effects, leaving users in a condition resembling that of a “zombie”.
He warned that vaping devices are increasingly being misused by drug trafficking syndicates as a means of concealing and distributing illicit substances, transforming what was once marketed as an alternative smoking product into a vehicle for dangerous narcotics.
“The main issue at present is not whether vaping represents a business opportunity for certain groups or otherwise. The real issue is that the device is being dangerously abused through the mixing of new drugs or New Psychoactive Substances (NPS),” BH cited him saying.
“Vaping has now become a source of pride among young people, so we must curb this problem at an early stage.”
“Many foreign countries have already banned it, therefore Malaysia must also have the political will to eradicate it,” he added.
Ayob Khan made the remarks during a press conference after officiating a hospital visitation programme held in conjunction with the 219th Police Day commemoration at Hospital Tunku Ampuan Besar Tuanku Aishah Rohani, the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Specialist Children’s Hospital.
While reaffirming PDRM’s support for a ban, he acknowledged that the police do not possess the sole authority to prohibit vaping products, as the matter falls under the jurisdiction of multiple ministries and government agencies, including the Ministry of Health.
He said the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) would continue intensifying surveillance efforts and large-scale enforcement operations to combat the spread of the emerging drug threat.
“It includes monitoring and enforcement operations against premises selling vape products in order to curb the spread of the new drug,” he said.
The renewed call follows recent enforcement action in which NCID officers arrested six men, including a supplier of vape products suspected of containing narcotic substances.
The arrests came after several videos circulated on social media showing individuals appearing heavily intoxicated while excessively using vape devices, raising concerns about the presence of synthetic drugs in vaping products.
Earlier reports quoted NCID director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan as saying that authorities view the abuse of vape products with serious concern, fearing they could become a mechanism for normalising drug abuse culture and unhealthy lifestyles.
He also warned that investigators have not ruled out the possibility that certain vape products may be mixed with hazardous chemicals or synthetic drugs capable of endangering users and posing wider public safety risks. - June 11, 2026
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