World No Tobacco Day Award 2025: Recognizing Contributions to Tobacco Control
The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) would like to extend its heartfelt congratulations to all recipients of the World No Tobacco Day Award 2025 presented by the World Health Organization (WHO), especially to:
- YB Datuk Seri Dr. Haji Dzulkefly bin Ahmad, Minister of Health Malaysia;
- Dr. Noraryana Binti Hassan, Disease Control Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH); and
- Dr. Murallitharan Munisamy, Malaysian Council for Tobacco Control (MCTC).
This award is the highest recognition of the commitment and courage shown by these parties in protecting public health through the implementation of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) which is a vital and historic legislation for our nation.
As a consumer organization dedicated to fighting for public healthrights, CAP emphasizes that protecting Malaysians, especially students and children, from the threats of cigarettes and vaping must remain a non-negotiable priority.
The rise in the use of electronic cigarettes and vapes, which have been proven to pose serious health risks and can even be life-threatening, demands stricter, more comprehensive and effective control measures.
CAP also urges that all policies implemented by the government in controlling smoking products, especially electronic cigarettes and vapes, must remain free from the influence of tobacco and vape industries. These industries have often thwarted control policies through various lobbying tactics and legal interference.
We fully support the Ministry of Health (MOH)Malaysia in advancing policies to control smoking products and will continue to work closely with all NGOs and tobacco control activists nationwide.
This collective effort is crucial to achieve the goal of a Smoke-Free Malaysia in the interest of public health.
Mohideen Abdul Kader
President
Consumers’ Association of Penang
Press Statement, 20 May 2025