Smoking endgame bill not to 'criminalise children', says Khairy

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin today challenged the claim that the Control of Tobacco Products and Smoking Bill 2022 is "criminalising children", calling it misleading.

He said compounds for minors who smoke are provided for in the existing regulations, adding that it cannot be registered as a criminal offence.

Khairy said there was no prison sentence for minors who smoke under the existing regulations or for those born after 2007 in the new bill.

"So please don’t mislead the people by alleging that children will be criminalised (under the bill). That is not true.  

"Presently, children who have been found to be buying cigarettes by the authorities will only be fined RM50," he told reporters after launching the KKMNOW portal.

He was commenting on the submission of a memorandum by the Consumer Choice Centre (CCC) in Parliament today protesting the bill.

The memorandum described the bill as containing large enforcement powers, criminalising children and affecting the poor.  

The Control of Tobacco Products and Smoking Bill 2022, which among others will prohibit the sale and use of any form of smoking material including electronic cigarettes or vaping for individuals born on Jan 1, 2007 onwards, is intended to reduce smoking among Malaysians.

Dubbed the Generational End Game, it was tabled by Khairy on July 27 for first reading but was referred to the parliamentary special select committee for refinement.

Khairy said the bill has been discussed by the committee members consisting of various politicians, adding that the amendments made were to streamline enforcement to ensure that it does not contain excessive powers.