THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO KEEP THE PROMISE OF PRESENTING THE SMOKING PRODUCT CONTROL BILL

The  Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) urged the government to keep its promise by presenting in the parliament the Smoking Product Control Bill (RUU) along with the Generational Endgame (GEG) provisions.

This bill with GEG provisions needs to be presented and approved immediately to overcome the issue of the lack of legal control over electronic cigarettes or vape products after the exemption of nicotine from the Poisons Act 1952 on 1 April 2023.

The absence of a clear and comprehensive law to regulate the advertising, promotion, packaging, sale and use of these products poses a serious risk to public health, especially teenagers and children.

The use of electronic cigarette or vape products with various attractive flavors and ‘dirty’ marketing tactics by industry players have attracted the younger generation to try and use electronic cigarettes or vape, which carries the risk of addiction and long-term effects on their health.

CAP would like to remind the government about the promise made by the Prime Minister, Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim on 4 April 2023 in the Dewan Rakyat session where he had promised to present the Smoking Product Control Bill together with the GEG provisions at the Parliament session this May.

The Malaysian Ministry of Health has also stated many times its position to present the bill with GEG provisions through media statements issued by the Minister of Health and the Deputy Minister of Health.

Therefore, CAP calls on the government to immediately implement the commitment by presenting the Smoking Product Control Bill together with the GEG provisions in Parliament to deal with this urgent issue.

The Smoking Products Control Bill should not be made into a political issue.  The problem of smoking is a health issue that should be taken seriously by all Members of Parliament who are responsible for protecting society from the dangers of smoking products.

By passing the Smoking Product Control Bill along with the GEG provisions, Members of Parliament who represent the voice of the people can prove their firm commitment to protecting the well-being of Malaysians, especially the youth.

Therefore, we strongly urge the government to prioritize public health by fulfilling the promises made to the people and presenting the Smoking Product Control Bill along with the GEG provisions immediately so that it becomes a law without delay.

Mohideen Abdul Kadeer
President
Consumers Association of Penang (CAP)

Press Statement, 24 May 2023