KUALA LUMPUR – The Health Ministry’s efforts towards creating a “smoke-free” generation through the Tobacco and Smoking Products Control Bill 2022 deserves the full support of all MPs across the political divide, said the Lung Cancer Network Malaysia (LCNM).
All MPs must show bold political determination and high statesmanship to help implement the bill and create an effective and lasting health legacy for the country.
It said the concern of personal freedoms being violated by the ban on tobacco for those born after January 1, 2007, touted as the Generational Endgame (GEG) law, is unfounded.
“Tobacco usage is not like consuming sweet foods and alcoholic beverages, so the comparison is irrelevant,” it said in a statement today.
LCNM urged all MPs to take the opportunity to ensure their place in history by boldly supporting the proposed GEG tobacco ban.
“The government also needs to ensure strict, fair, consistent, and continuous law enforcement,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, Datuk Jamelah A. Bakar, chairman of the Women and Family Development Bureau of the Malaysian Drug Prevention Association (Pemadam), said the country needs a special bill against tobacco products and smoking habits, instead of just including the law under the Food Act 1983 and existing Control of Tobacco Product Regulations.
“Pemadam calls on all MPs to support the bill presented by Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin. It will ensure public health and protect our citizens and Malaysian families from the dangers of smoking products,” she said in a statement.
Yesterday, Khairy said the Tobacco Products and Smoking Control Bill 2022, aimed at creating smoke-free individuals born from January 1, 2007 onwards, will not affect the national economy.
He said based on an in-depth study he conducted, the tobacco industry only has an impact of 0.18% on the entire gross domestic product.
On July 27, Khairy presented the bill, which provides for a ban on individuals born in 2007 and thereafter from smoking, buying, or possessing tobacco products or smoking devices, for the first reading in the Dewan Rakyat. – Bernama, July 31, 2022
