The government is studying laws to ban e-cigarettes and vaping as early as possible before it becomes a major health issue, said Health Minister Dr S Subramaniam.

"Our long-term intention is to ban it. We are working on legal premises to do it," he said at the Parliament lobby today.

He added that various laws were being examined for the most appropriate Act to implement the ban.

Subramaniam said vaping is detrimental to health and its practice should be stopped.

Vape is an electronic device that simulates or resembles smoking and with each inhalation, an electronic computer chip powered by a battery will activate an atomiser which heats the fluid which in turn generates smoke-like vapour.

It has become popular in the country but doubts have been raised about its safety.

One non-government organisation, Malaysian Organisation of Vape Entities ( Move ), has said that it has received feedback pointing out the dangers about its use.