Smoking endgame bill to be tabled on June 12

The Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023 will be tabled for a first reading in Parliament on June 12, says Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa.

"We have completed our engagement sessions with various parties and gathered much input. I would like to reiterate that our decision to table this bill follows the decision made by the Cabinet," she said at a media briefing on the bill yesterday.

She also said that the health ministry had incorporated all 23 proposed amendments and added five new suggestions to the bill.

Zaliha said the ministry also took into consideration the views received during the debate sessions and from the special select committee at the last Parliament session.

"This bill is more comprehensive as it covers not only conventional smoking products but also new ones, including electronic and combustible ones," she said. 
 
She added that the bill still retains the generational endgame (GEG) provision, affecting those born on Jan 1, 2007 onwards.

"The GEG provision will curb the problem of smoking, especially among the youth, which is the main contributor to the country’s economy, and save 2.07 million lives," she said.

Zaliha said the new bill is based on the findings of recent studies that will be tabled in a periodic report before Jan 1, 2025.

"This approach shows that the government is committed to implementing the GEG, which also receives the support of many, including NGOs, professional bodies and associations,” she said.

Regarding the lacuna in the Poisons Act 1952 following the exemption of liquid nicotine used in electronic cigarettes from the law, Zaliha said this could be addressed through controls in terms of advertisement, packaging, sales in educational institutions and so on.
 
She added that all of the issues debated during the tabling of the previous bill, including judicial review, body inspection and extensive enforcement authority, had been amended as recommended by the Special Select Committee on the Tobacco and Smoking Products Control Bill 2022.

Regarding the proposed fine reduction from RM5,000 to RM500, Zaliha said it was not intended to be burdensome but to educate.

She also said that without the GEG provision, the cost of treating smoking-related diseases would escalate to RM8.77 billion, and RM369 million would be needed to treat complications from the use of electronic cigarettes by the year 2030.