KUALA LUMPUR – The proposed tobacco generational endgame (GEG) bill has powers that are too wide-ranging for enforcement officers compared to a similar bill in the New Zealand Parliament, Bakri MP Yeo Bee Yin said.
In a statement, she highlighted differences between both bills and questioned why Malaysia’s version gives so much power to law enforcement.
New Zealand enforcement officers only have the power to enter non-residential premises for investigation, while other enforcement actions require a warrant, Yeo noted.
“Why do enforcement officers in Malaysia need so much power that New Zealand officers don’t? Do these clauses infringe on personal privacy and human rights?” the former energy, science, technology, environment and climate change minister said.
The Control of Tobacco Product and Smoking Bill 2022 that was tabled by Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin last week seeks to prohibit the sale of cigarettes, tobacco and vape products to anyone born on or after January 1, 2007.
The bill proposes a fine for offenders and also empowers enforcement officers to act without warrant when entering premises and to conduct searches.
Yeo also questioned the start date for the proposed GEG bill, saying Malaysia had “4 times weaker enforcement capability” and 28% prevalence of illicit cigarettes.
New Zealand, meanwhile, with a 6%-7% prevalence of illicit cigarettes, plans for its GEG bill to start for those born on or after January 1, 2009.
The DAP lawmaker also questioned if Malaysia’s proposal to ban smoking and possession of tobacco products on the user side would be more effective than New Zealand’s prohibition on the supply side.
Yeo added that MPs did not have enough time to deliberate on the bill, as they were only given less than a week to mull over it, compared to the four months given to New Zealand MPs.
Calling for further deliberations with stakeholders, Yeo said she hoped the bill would be sent to the Parliamentary Select Committees on Health, Science and Innovation, Women, Children and Social Development, and Fundamental Liberty and Constitutional Rights.
“The reports from these committees and the ministry can then be tabled to the MPs to consider the bill more comprehensively,” she said. – The Vibes, August 1, 2022
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