A worrying new trend has emerged in Malaysia, where vaping devices are being cleverly disguised as common school items such as glue sticks, 2B pencils, and marker pens. These disguised vapes, which are reportedly easy to purchase online, have sparked widespread concern among parents, educators, and health advocacy groups.
The issue came to light after a social media post by a health awareness group went viral on 4 October. The post, viewed over 790,000 times, featured photos of vapes designed to look exactly like stationery items found in a typical pencil case. Adding to the alarm, some even mimic popular candy bars — making them dangerously appealing to children.
According to the group, these deceptive vape devices are paired with specially made stickers that help them blend in seamlessly with school supplies. Netizens have since flagged that such stickers are not only easily accessible but also sold at very low prices online, further exacerbating the risk of underage use.
Growing Calls for Regulatory Action

Concerned messages have been circulating across WhatsApp groups, urging parents and teachers to remain vigilant. One widely shared message warned, “Parents and teachers must stay alert to the latest innovations by vape companies that could harm our children’s future.”
The ease with which these disguised vapes can be obtained — coupled with their innocent appearance — poses a significant threat, especially to school-going children. Many have called on authorities to crack down on sellers and ban the sale of deceptive vape stickers altogether. Some have even urged platforms to restrict these listings to prevent underage access.
A Hidden Danger in Plain Sight
As vape usage among youth continues to rise across Southeast Asia, this development marks a dangerous evolution in how such products are marketed and consumed. With devices now designed to evade detection by parents and school authorities, the risks are higher than ever.
This incident serves as a wake-up call not just for Malaysia, but for neighbouring countries like Singapore, where vape use is illegal yet still persists underground. Authorities and parents alike must work together to tackle this issue head-on — before more children are lured into nicotine addiction by seemingly harmless pencil-case gadgets.