Drug-Laced Vapes in Malaysia 2026: Piu Piu, Kpods and What Families Need to Know

Written and clinically reviewed by Adjunct Professor Dr Prem Kumar Shanmugam, founder of Solace Asia. November 2026.

Quick answer

Vape liquids are being used to hide drugs in Malaysia. In June 2026, police identified “Piu Piu”, a mix of synthetic drugs including ketamine and fentanyl, in vape liquids (The Star, June 2026). Vapes sold as “magic mushroom” or “Kpods” have mostly turned out to contain synthetic substances, not mushrooms (The Star, January 2026). Nicotine vapes are regulated under Act 852 (CodeBlue, September 2026), while drug-laced vapes are dealt with under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 (The Sun, July 2026). If someone you love seems dazed or changed after vaping, treat it as a health concern and get help early.

What is “Piu Piu”?

On 11 June 2026, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police said a new synthetic drug called “Piu Piu” had been found in e-cigarette liquids, and can leave users severely intoxicated, like a “zombie” (The Vibes, June 2026). He described it as a mixture including ketamine and fentanyl, and said syndicates increasingly use vapes to hide new psychoactive substances (The Star, June 2026). The name is linked to “piao piao”, Chinese for “floating” (SEATCA, June 2026).

Police then announced saliva test kits at roadblocks, because people using drug-laced vapes could become intoxicated while driving without realising it (AsiaOne, June 2026). The National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) also began using kits that detect fentanyl, synthetic cannabinoids and cocaine in vape liquids (The Sun, May 2026).

How big is the problem in 2026?

The Home Minister gave Parliament these figures for vape products suspected of containing prohibited substances (The Sun, July 2026):

By May 2026, cases had already overtaken the whole of 2025. The Health Minister separately said 402 cases involving vapes mixed with synthetic drugs had been recorded up to April 2026 (Bernama, June 2026).

In July 2026, seven secondary school students in Sentul were found intoxicated after allegedly using drug-laced vapes, and two needed emergency treatment. Police then dismantled three syndicates, seizing drugs worth more than RM45.6 million (Utusan Malaysia, July 2026; Malay Mail, July 2026). AADK says children as young as 12 have tested positive for synthetic drugs, some sold as vapes (Free Malaysia Today, May 2026). See our overview of drugs in Malaysia.

What users think they are getting vs what is actually in them

Drug vapes are sold under names that sound mild or natural. Testing shows otherwise.

The person vaping rarely knows what is in the liquid or how strong it is. Clinically, that uncertainty is what concerns me most. As an addiction psychiatrist told The Star, “Dealers will say anything to make a sale” (The Star, January 2026). See our pages on ketamine and MDMA.

Warning signs for parents and families

A drug vape looks like an ordinary vape, so watch the person instead. Reported effects include feeling cold, hallucinations, feeling cut off from reality and non-stop, confused talking, lasting up to two hours (The Star, January 2026). Signs worth noticing:

• Episodes of looking dazed, “switched off” or heavily intoxicated soon after vaping.
• Sudden anxiety or paranoia, which cannabinoids can cause (The Star, January 2026).
• New refill bottles, especially for refillable “open-system” devices, where synthetic drugs have been found (The Star, March 2026).
• Products with nicknames. Sellers have used codewords such as “Thor” and “Hulk” and sold through WhatsApp, Telegram and Facebook (The Star, January 2026).
• Unfamiliar parcels or online contacts. These products target young people through social media and courier services (The Sun, July 2026).
• Changes in sleep, appetite, school or work, missing money, or pulling away from family.

One sign alone proves nothing. If you notice several, talk calmly and without blame. Families need support too, which is why we run a family workshop.

What the law says now

Act 852: nicotine vapes are regulated

The Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) came into force on 1 October 2024 and was fully implemented from 1 October 2025. Its rules include a 20mg/ml nicotine limit, a 3,000-puff limit for disposables, health warnings and age checks for online sales (The Star, March 2026). It allows sale of nicotine vapes to adults aged 18 and above (CodeBlue, September 2026).

In May 2026, the Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled that the 2023 decision to remove liquid nicotine used in vapes from the Poisons List was irrational (Free Malaysia Today, May 2026). The government dropped its appeal in August 2026, and it is unclear whether retail sale of nicotine vapes is now effectively illegal outside pharmacists and doctors (CodeBlue, August 2026).

Drugs in vapes: the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952

A drug inside a vape is still a drug. Enforcement against drug-laced vapes falls under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and the Poisons Act 1952 (The Sun, July 2026). In August 2026, Johor police investigated a syndicate filling vape cartridges with methamphetamine under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act (Bernama, August 2026).

The debate about a full vape ban

Police want an outright ban. The Deputy Inspector-General said many countries have already banned vapes and Malaysia “should have the political will to do the same” (SEATCA, June 2026).

The Health Minister has targeted a nationwide ban by mid-2026 or, at the latest, the end of 2026 (The Star, December 2025), starting with open-system devices (The Star, January 2026). In June 2026 he said the matter was under the government’s consideration (Bernama, June 2026).

Sarawak has not ruled out a full ban but is focusing on stricter enforcement and community awareness first. Vape-related drug cases in the state rose from 4 in 2023 to 14 in 2025 (Malay Mail, May 2026). On 2 November 2026, a tobacco-control group called on the government to set out a clear, time-bound roadmap towards the promised ban (CodeBlue, November 2026).

When to get help

Call emergency services straight away if someone is unconscious, struggling to breathe, having a fit, or extremely confused or agitated after vaping. Fentanyl, which police have found in vape liquids, is far more dangerous than morphine and can cause death (The Vibes, June 2026).

Book a specialist assessment if vaping has become frequent or secret, the person cannot cut down, or anxiety, low mood or hallucinations continue between uses. Drug use and mental health problems often feed each other, so we assess for dual diagnosis. Where needed, treatment can start with a medically supervised detox, followed by Solace Prime, our 28-day residential programme, and 18 months of aftercare.

For a general look at how vaping can hide drug use, see our earlier article, Vaping Drugs: A Hidden Danger.

Frequently asked questions

Talk to us

If you or someone you love is struggling with drug vapes or any other substance, you do not have to work it out alone. WhatsApp us on +60 12-885 4686 or contact the Solace Asia team for a free, confidential consultation. If cost is a concern, our sister retreat Salus offers residential treatment at a lower cost, in a different residential location, maintaining Solace’s clinical standards for treatment.

References

1. The Star, “New drug ‘Piu Piu’ sparks calls for vape ban”, 12 June 2026. thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026/06/12/new-drug-piu-piu-sparks-calls-for-vape-ban
2. The Vibes, “Dangerous ‘Piu Piu’ found in vape liquids: Police”, 11 June 2026. thevibes.com/articles/news/123875
3. SEATCA, “Malaysia police call for total vape ban after ‘Piu Piu’ drug found in e-liquids”, 19 June 2026. seatca.org/malaysia-police-call-for-total-vape-ban-after-piu-piu-drug-found-in-e-liquids
4. AsiaOne, “Malaysia cops to use saliva test kits at roadblocks amid concerns over drug-laced vapes”, 26 June 2026. asiaone.com/malaysia/piao-piao-magic-mushroom-malaysia-police-test-kits-roadblock
5. The Sun, “AADK to deploy synthetic drug test kits from June”, 28 May 2026. thesun.my/news/malaysia-news/aadk-to-deploy-fentanyl-detection-kits-from-june
6. The Sun, “Over 700kg of drug-laced vape products seized in three years: Home Ministry”, 9 July 2026. thesun.my/news/malaysia-news/over-700kg-of-drug-laced-vape-products-seized
7. Bernama, “402 vape cases linked to synthetic drugs, strengthen case for ban, says Dzulkefly”, 20 June 2026. bernama.com/en/news.php?id=2571000
8. Utusan Malaysia, “Tiga sindiket vape dadah tumpas, rampasan lebih RM45.6 juta”, 29 July 2026. utusan.com.my/nasional/2026/07/tiga-sindiket-vape-dadah-tumpas-rampasan-lebih-rm45-6-juta
9. Malay Mail, “Bukit Aman busts three drug-laced vape syndicates after students fall ill in Sentul”, 29 July 2026. malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/07/29/229457
10. Free Malaysia Today, “Children aged 12 testing positive for synthetic drugs, says anti-drugs agency DG”, 10 May 2026. freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/05/10
11. The Star, “Vape labels lie, lab results don’t”, 4 January 2026. thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026/01/04/vape-labels-lie-lab-results-dont
12. The Star, “Those illegal drugs in vapes are not what users think”, 7 January 2026. thestar.com.my/lifestyle/health/2026/01/07/those-illegal-drugs-in-vapes-are-not-what-users-think
13. The Star, “Illegal vapes hidden in plain sight”, 2 March 2026. thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026/03/02/illegal-vapes-hidden-in-plain-sight
14. CodeBlue, “Explainer: Three options for Putrajaya after withdrawing nicotine appeal”, 1 September 2026. codeblue.galencentre.org/2026/09/explainer-three-options-for-putrajaya-after-withdrawing-nicotine-appeal
15. Free Malaysia Today, “Court rules nicotine vape exemption from poisons list irrational”, 15 May 2026. freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/05/15
16. CodeBlue, “Government drops appeal against liquid nicotine court ruling”, 18 August 2026. codeblue.galencentre.org/2026/08/government-drops-appeal-against-liquid-nicotine-court-ruling
17. Bernama, “Polis tumpas sindiket edar dadah guna katrij vape, rampas dadah bernilai RM10.68 juta”, 5 August 2026. bernama.com/radio/news.php?id=2590637
18. The Star, “M’sia moving decisively to full vape ban, says Dzulkefly”, 16 December 2025. thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/12/16/m039sia-moving-decisively-to-full-vape-ban-says-dzulkefly
19. The Star, “Health Minister outlines plan to ban open vape systems first”, 6 January 2026. thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026/01/06/health-minister-outlines-plan-to-ban-open-vape-systems-first
20. Malay Mail, “With vape-related drug cases rising in Sarawak, minister says full ban still on the table”, 15 May 2026. malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/05/15/220017
21. CodeBlue, “Sejarah Hitam Negaraku: Will Malaysia repeat the nicotine betrayal? (MyWATCH)”, 2 November 2026. codeblue.galencentre.org/2026/11/sejarah-hitam-negaraku-will-malaysia-repeat-the-nicotine-betrayal-mywatch
22. The Vibes, “Home Ministry: synthetic drugs now a major threat, East Coast most affected”, 23 June 2026. thevibes.com/articles/news/124266