KUALA LUMPUR: A coalition of more than 40 health professional societies and health professionals have backed the proposed Tobacco and Smoking Control Bill, saying that effective planning, coordination and implementation will be the key to its success.
The Malaysian Health Coalition (MHC) said the Bill was significant as it could curb the number of teenagers exposed to tobacco products while reducing its impact on low income households.
It said based on data from the 2019 National Health and Morbidity Survey, it was found that of teenagers aged between 15 and 19, 11.6% were cigarette smokers and 7.5% were ecigarette users with an overall 15.6% of teenagers being tobacco users.
“This is alarming as the harmful implications of tobacco addiction has on people’s health is well documented and known by nearly everyone, thus this Bill would be important in ensuring the long-term health of the people.
“It is said that this would also benefit those of lower socioeconomic status as these people tend to have more financial problems and less health literacy causing them to be more vulnerable to tobacco addiction as they turn to smoking as a form of stress relief that in turn increases their barriers to quitting smoking,” said the coalition referring to a statement from the Social & Economic Research Initiative (Seri).
On the potential financial impact on retailers, the MHC said the Bill does not immediately ban the sale of tobacco and vape products which would provide retailers time to phase out the items from their inventory.
“It is also crucial that clear and detailed enforcement steps and guidelines are laid out to the public to increase awareness regarding prioritising communal health over individualistic temporary pleasure.
“It will be the key to ensuring the successful adoption of the Bill by the public,” it said.
The MHC said that combating illegal tobacco products trade through effective inter-ministries cooperation was vital to ensuring the effectiveness of the Bill.
The MHC also said it increases public confidence and perception towards the Bill and urged all Members of Parliament and the public to support it.
