Include heated tobacco products in smoking control act, govt urged

KUALA LUMPUR – The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) urged the government to improve the planned Tobacco and Smoking Control Act by including heated tobacco products and electronic nicotine delivery systems as recreational inhalation devices under the act. 

In a statement today, CAP president Mohideen Abdul Kader supported the act announced by Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, adding that the inclusion of both nicotine-based and non-nicotine-based products under the act will allow the nation to progress. 

“We welcome the long-awaited act because smoking habits are the cause of many non-communicable diseases such as cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. 

“It does not make any sense for any government to sustain an industry that destroys the health of its people and imposes massive health costs by getting the population addicted to nicotine,” Mohideen said.

He added that the Health Ministry should be cautious with the tobacco industry as it may attempt to lobby alternative methods for users to become addicted to nicotine.

“The reason for banning non-nicotine-based products is because there is no good reason why a person should inhale chemicals into his lungs, with these products being the gateway to experimentation and addiction to nicotine-based ones later on. 

“The ban should also be extended to include any recreational inhaling devices as they may lead to inhalant abuse and/or nicotine addiction,” Mohideen said, adding that such an inclusion is necessary to ensure that the proposed act is comprehensive. 

“It would be futile for the government to ban cigarettes but allow the sale of heated tobacco products and electronic nicotine delivery systems because nicotine addiction – the underlying problem – is not eliminated,” he said. 

Previously, Khairy had said he intends to table a new Tobacco and Smoking Control Act in the upcoming Parliament meeting to regulate electronic cigarettes and vape products alongside enforcing a “Generation End-Game” for smoking in the long run. – The Vibes, February 7, 2022