KUALA LUMPUR – Khairy Jamaluddin has poured cold water on criticisms levelled at the Health Ministry over the move to ban smoking for those born after 2005 amid claims that it would entail excise duty losses worth billions of ringgit.
Responding to the disapproval, the health minister said that the amount the government can potentially save from treating diseases linked to smoking is considerably higher than the taxes collected annually from sales of cigarettes.
“In 2020, the excise tax collected was RM2.8 billion. If we don’t control this smoking problem, by 2030, the cost to treat lung cancers, heart problems and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases would be RM8 billion.
“This is excluding other related diseases because smoking will cause multiple other problems," he said when launching the Generational Endgame Advocacy Roadshow (Gegar) Wanita at Universiti Putra Malaysia today.
“So for those who are using numbers to counter (the ministry’s plan) by saying we will lose RM2.8 billion, what about the RM8 billion?”
Among those present at today’s event was Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun.
Khairy expressed hope that the Tobacco and Smoking Control Bill, which proposes to ban smoking for future generations, could be tabled and passed in the Dewan Rakyat in the coming sitting which will convene on July 18.
If successful, Malaysia will be the first country in the world to enforce a tobacco generational endgame law.
Once the law comes into force, the minister said, there should be no excuse given by businesses to sell cigarettes to those born after 2005.
“We will ask shops to check their customers’ identification cards. Some people are saying it will be difficult? What is so difficult? Just check the IC – if they are born after 2005, don’t sell.
“It will be an offence, and action can be taken according to the act that will pass later,” he said.
Later in a press conference, Khairy said the proposed bill will not contain jail terms for individual possession of cigarettes or vapes as they would be considered minor offences. Such offenders would instead be subjected to other penalties.
Jail sentences, he said, will only be applicable for heavy offences, including those found guilty of selling or distributing the products to those who are not permitted to buy them.
Khairy added that the Health Ministry plans to hand over a memorandum in the cabinet next week on the draft bill, and hopes it can be tabled in Parliament by this month.
He also said that he has received feedback from other ministries pertaining to the bill and will respond to any questions when the cabinet meets. – The Vibes, July 8, 2022
