Anti-smoking Bill: Where there’s smoke, there’s a whole lot of hot air

The columnist thinks that all the self-righteous debate about protecting rights results in a lot of smoke that obscures a genuine flame of intent to help Malaysians kick a destructive habit that kills. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star

I know I’m getting old. I know it because when I read a newspaper without a pair of glasses on, it’s like I’m playing a fuzzy game of Wordle. I know it because when my limbs are at certain angles, they squeak in protest. And I know it because I look at the kids reacting to newly suggested laws and just cluck my tongue while shaking my head.

One of the things I’m talking about is my reaction to the reaction to the Control of Tobacco Products and Smoking Bill 2022, aka the tobacco generational endgame (GEG) law that seeks to ban smoking and prohibit the ownership of tobacco and vape products by those born after the start of 2007.