Vaping in Malaysia is no longer a niche subculture. Over the past decade, it has become part of everyday life for many adult nicotine users, sitting alongside more traditional cigarettes. The latest Global Adult Tobacco Survey for Malaysia estimates that about 19 per cent of adults currently smoke tobacco, while roughly 5.8 per cent, or around 1.4 million people, now use electronic cigarettes.
This translates to a simple reality: there is no shortage of choice. The real challenge is knowing which devices and brands genuinely deserve a place in your routine.
Vaping In Malaysia Today
In most cities, vaping sits alongside traditional smoking, with adults using pod systems and disposables outside offices, at mamak stalls and in dedicated vape shops. Devices and e-liquids are still widely available through specialist retailers and Malaysian e-commerce platforms, and many current vapers are existing or former smokers who want something that feels cleaner, more discreet and more customisable than cigarettes.
At the same time, the environment around vaping is tightening. Since 2024, vape products have been brought under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act, which sets rules on sale, promotion and packaging. A retail display ban is being phased in so that tobacco and vape products are kept out of direct view in shops, and the Health Ministry has announced its intention to move towards a nationwide ban on vape sales by around mid 2026, starting with open-system devices and then expanding in stages. The final shape of that policy depends on Cabinet decisions, but the direction of travel is clear.
For adult nicotine users in Malaysia today, this means vaping remains part of everyday life, but within a more regulated space than a few years ago. Serious brands and retailers are adapting by tightening age checks, keeping to the new display rules and focusing their messaging on adults who already use nicotine. As a consumer, the practical takeaway is to treat vaping as an adult-only product, buy from reputable Malaysian channels that follow current regulations, and favour devices and brands that are transparent about how they work and who they are intended for.
Choosing The Right Vape Device
Choosing the right vape device in Malaysia starts with looking at how you actually live your life. For example, if you are always on the move and want something as simple as possible, then a disposable vape or a low-maintenance closed pod system will usually make more sense than a large open-tank mod. With a closed pod device, you keep the main body, use pre-filled replaceable pods, and simply swap the pod when it is empty, which means no bottles, no spills and no refilling.
Disposable vapes go even further in terms of convenience because the battery and liquid come in a single unit that you recycle or discard once it is finished. By contrast, open or refillable systems can offer more customisation and control, but they also demand more time, more knowledge and more ongoing maintenance.
Once you have decided on the basic format, it is helpful to think about how the vape feels to use every day. For example, most adult smokers in Malaysia prefer a tighter, mouth-to-lung draw that feels similar to a cigarette, rather than a loose, cloud-chasing style that fills a room. In addition, battery life becomes important if you spend long hours away from home, so many commuters and shift workers look for devices that can comfortably last a full working day.
Build quality also matters, because good leak resistance, consistent vapour production and simple controls can turn a device into something you forget about rather than something you constantly fix. Finally, consider whether the device is designed for nicotine salt or freebase e-liquid, and check how easy it is to find compatible pods or cartridges from reputable Malaysian brands
Best Vape Brand To Buy In Malaysia
Kardinal stands out as a strong first choice for vape brands in Malaysia. Founded in Malacca in 2017, it positions itself as Southeast Asia’s leading vape brand, focused on precision engineering and responsible alternatives for existing nicotine users. Kardinal offers a full ecosystem of devices, from the Lumina closed pod system to Quik 3000, Quik 6000 and Quikpro, all built around its in-house ceraKoil heating technology for consistent flavour and smooth draws. The brand is explicit about age limits and nicotine risks, and its official Store Locator helps Malaysian adults find authorised retailers and genuine products easily.
