PETALING JAYA: More health groups have come out to urge MPs to give their backing to the ‘Generational End Game’ (GEG) law, which will ban smoking and vaping for those born from Jan 1, 2005, onwards.
The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), in urging MPs from all sides to support the government’s plan, said the Health Ministry’s proposed law would ensure a future of healthier Malaysians who are free of diseases related to smoking and vaping.
“MMA gives its full support to the (Tobacco and Smoking Control) Bill that seeks to stop the sale of tobacco, ecigarettes and vape products to those born from 2005 onwards.
“Having seen the health and economic ravages that such products have caused to countless people across the world, not (only) in Malaysia, we say ‘no more’ to the continued destruction caused to users of such products and their families.
“We call on all MPs to give their full support to the GEG which will be tabled in Parliament soon.
“To all parents, protect your children against the harmful effects of smoking and vaping by voicing your support for the GEG to the MPs representing your locality,” said MMA president Dr Koh Kar Chai in a statement.
He said treatment for diseases caused by smoking was expensive and the GEG would help reduce healthcare spending in the future.
Dr Koh also disagreed with the use of ecigarettes and vapes to help people stop smoking, adding that these products may also contain harmful effects.
“Knowing the difficulties in trying to kick the habit, cutting off such supplies from the young will remove the effort needed to wean them off the habit later on when the realisation sets in that the harmful effects from such products are starting to creep into their lives,” he said.
Under the proposed Tobacco and Smoking Control law, children born from Jan 1, 2005, and onwards would be banned from buying cigarettes or vaping products even after reaching the legal smoking age of 18.
It also prohibits others from selling these products to this group.
Earlier, a coalition of more than 40 health professional groups and health professionals officially backed the proposed Tobacco and Smoking Control Bill, agreeing that effective planning, coordination and implementation will be the key to its success.
The Malaysian Health Coalition (MHC) said the Bill had the potential to reduce the number of teenagers exposed to tobacco products.
The MHC added that all MPs and the people should support the implementation of the Bill.
