Teachers in Malaysia found vaping or smoking on school premises could soon face legal penalties, including fines of up to RM10,000 (S$3,039) or imprisonment for up to two years.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, as reported by The Star on Tuesday (Aug 12), stressed that there would be zero tolerance for such behaviour, particularly when done in front of students. She said the conduct breaches the nation’s teaching standards, which uphold teachers as role models of good character.
“Teachers caught vaping or smoking within school grounds may be fined up to RM10,000 or jailed for up to two years under the Smoking Products Control Act for Public Health 2024,” Fadhlina stated.
Her remarks were in response to a question from Malaysian MP Nurul Amin Hamid, who raised concerns about the growing vaping trend among students and alleged that some teachers were seen openly vaping.
Fadhlina also revealed that the Education Ministry is working on amendments to student discipline regulations to explicitly ban smoking in all its forms — including cigarettes, vaping devices, electronic tools, and related liquids.
“These amendments align with the Smoking Products Control Act for Public Health 2024, which was gazetted by the Health Ministry on Oct 1, 2024,” she added.
The law also prohibits the sale of vape products to individuals under 18 and bans sales within 40 metres of any school boundary or fence.
