KUALA LUMPUR: Opposition chief Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and several others want the proposed generational end game (GEG) anti-smoking law to be referred to a Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC).
"I have written to the Prime Minister in his capacity as head of the Dewan Rakyat proposing that the Control of Tobacco Product and Smoking Bill 2022 be referred to a Parliamentary Special Select Committee," he said in a Facebook post on Monday (Aug 1).
Earlier during debates, Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz (BN-Padang Rengas) also proposed for the Bill to be referred to a PSSC for further deliberation before being brought back to the House.
He said the government needed to be careful with prohibitive laws as it may be challenged as being unconstitutional in the future.
He noted that the proposed law could infringe on the right to freedom of choice for youths when the law came into force in 2025, who could challenge it in the future.
"They will be 18 by then and able to think for themselves and you are denying them their rights.
"I am not encouraging smoking but I think this freedom should be given," he said.
Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal (Warisan-Semprona), who interjected, also wanted the proposed bill to be referred to a PSSC for further deliberation.
He said that the proposed laws also concerned powers given to enforcement authorities.
"New Zealand tabled its anti-smoking bill in their parliament last Tuesday (July 26).
"They will only pass the proposed law in December," he added.
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin tabled the Bill on Wednesday (July 27).
Under the proposed law, children born from Jan 1, 2007, onwards are prohibited from smoking, buying or possessing any type of smoking products, including electronic cigarettes or vape products, even when they are 18.
The law will only be enforced in 2025.
Khairy had announced several changes to the Bill when it was tabled for its second reading Monday (Aug 1) following some resistance to several provisions.
The changes include the reduction of fines from RM5,000 to RM500.
Community service as mandated by court was also added as an option in lieu of a fine.
No body searches will be conducted on anyone aged below 18.
"No punishment for possession for all GEG-related offences," he said.
Debates on the Bill will resume on Tuesday (Aug 2).
The proposed law is expected to be passed during the current Dewan Rakyat meeting which ends on Aug 4.
