Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob is grateful to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and the government for understanding the aspirations of the youth.

The rural and regional development minister posted this on Facebook following the cabinet's decision not to impose a ban on electronic cigarettes.

"Good news for vapers, brewers and salesmen. Today, the Cabinet decided not to ban vaping.

"Thank you to the prime minister and government for understanding the aspirations of the youth," he said.

Prior to this, the Health Ministry was considering the ban following claims that vaping posed a major health risk.

Health Minister Dr S Subramaniam said his ministry was working on the legislation before vaping became a major issue.

However, vapers criticised the move, saying the government should ban cigarettes first, citing studies that vaping was much less harmful than smoking.

An electronic cigarette and personal vapouriser or electronic nicotine delivery systems are battery-powered vapourisers that simulate smoking using aerosolised liquids, usually containing nicotine, instead of burning tobacco.