MELAKA: The Health Ministry expects the Control of Smoking Product for Public Health Bill 2023 to be tabled in Parliament in early June.
Deputy Health Minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni said a law to regulate all smoking products is crucial to protect the health of Generation Z and young millennials will focus on controlling smoking products including vaping and ecigarettes, as well as to implement the generational end-game (GEG) policy.
"The Bill could not be tabled in previously due to the dissolution of the previous government, but the ministry is committed to bringing the Bill for first reading after the Kaamatan and Gawai holidays," he said after launching the national-level World No Tobacco Day 2023 at Dewan Hang Tuah here, on Wednesday (May 31).
Also present were Melaka health, human resources and unity committee chairman Ngwe Hee Sem and state Health Department's director Datuk Dr Rusdi Abd Rahman, Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong, Malaysian Medical Association's president Dr Muruga Raj Rajathurai, National Cancer Society Malaysia's (NCSM) president Datuk Dr Saunthari Somasundaram and NCSM honorary advisor Datuk Mohd Ridhwan Mohd Ali and event's advisor Datuk Wira MS Mahadevan.
Lukanisam said the ministry is waiting for the go-ahead to table the Bill when Parliament meets again from June 6,
The Bill also covers nicotine-laced products and electronic devices such as ecigarettes.
He said the ministry will also hold engagement sessions on policies set under the new Bill with stakeholders in the ecigarette industry apart from parliamentarians, Opposition lawmakers and non-governmental organisations.
"Even Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has stated his commitment towards the GEG bill," he said.
Lukanisman statistics showed an increase in ecigarette use among teenagers nationwide, rising to 14.9% or 307,109 in 2022 compared to 9.8% or 211,084 in 2017.
Of last year's figure, 242,849 users were males and 164,260 were females.
"The increase in the number of teenagers using ecigarettes is worrying. Hence, control through the ambit of the law needs to be strengthened via the Bill," he said.
