Table tobacco GEG bill before removing nicotine from Poisons Act: Umno Youth

KUALA LUMPUR – Umno Youth has urged the government to table the Tobacco Products and Smoking Control Bill 2022 first before deciding to remove nicotine liquids and gels from the Poisons Act 1952, said Umno Youth. 

The wing’s chief, Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, said it is not prudent for the government to collect more taxes and duties when the issue of public health is at stake.

He warned that removing these products as controlled substances under the Poisons Act 1952 would allow them to be marketed and sold openly to the masses, including minors.

“It is true that before this, taxes were not imposed on liquid nicotine products as they were placed under the Poisons Act 1952, but the long-term healthcare implication to the public outweighs the need for tax revenue to be collected from these vape liquid products.

“Axing liquid nicotine from the Poisons Act could appear to be an endorsement for Malaysians of all ages to consume nicotine without proper guidelines,” he said.

Dr Akmal also urged the government to reconsider tabling the smoking bill, also commonly known as the generational endgame bill, to ensure reduction in the number of nicotine consumers.

This comes in the wake of a new federal gazette that allows nicotine in gel and liquid form to be used in e-cigarette and vape products and removed from the list of controlled substances under the Poisons Act 1952.

Also exempted are tobacco and nicotine in the “form of patch or gum to be used as a smoking cessation aid”.

The gazette on the Poisons (Amendment of Poisons List) Order 2023, which was issued on March 31 and came into force on April 1, was signed by Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa. 

It also introduces a tax on e-cigarettes and vapes with nicotine at 40 sen/ml.

In another statement, Dr Zaliha explained the decision to charge duties on such products with nicotine in liquid or gel form would be governed under the Excise Act 1976.

Dr Zaliha also stated that the government would introduce a new law in Parliament to regulate vapes and e-cigarette products containing nicotine. – The Vibes, April 2, 2023