MMA disappointed over delay in tabling smoking control Bill

One of the main aims of the GEG Bill is to legally prevent those born after 2007 from ever picking up the habit of smoking or vaping. — Filepic

PETALING JAYA: The Health Ministry's decision to refer the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023 to a Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC) once again has raised doubts over the passing of the Bill in the current parliamentary session, says the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA).

Its president Dr Muruga Raj Rajathurai said MMA was disappointed with the Health Ministry for its sudden decision to delay the tabling of the Bill.

"The MMA was of the impression that the Bill was ready to be tabled, debated and put to a vote," he said in a statement on Monday (May 12).

"Can a review by the PSSC be done speedily enough to allow the Bill to proceed in the current Parliament session?" he quipped.

Dr Muruga said failure to proceed with the Bill will be seen as the government's lack of urgency and commitment to passing the Bill.

"This decision to refer the Bill again to the PSSC will mean that the tabling of the Bill may yet again be delayed," he said.

"If at all it is delayed further, the Health Ministry must immediately reverse its decision of exempting nicotine from the Poisons Act as the e-cigarette and vaping industry is still unregulated.

Dr Muruga highlighted that the removal of nicotine from the list of controlled substances under the Poisons Act allows any vape - both containing nicotine and non-nicotine - to be sold openly and legally to anyone including children of any age.

"It would be irresponsible of the government to disregard this issue and its serious impact on public health, in particular the health of our younger generation," he said.

Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa had said the Bill was sent to a Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC) for further review shortly after its first tabling in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (June 12).

She said that the decision to refer the Bill to the PSSC for Health was made after several recommendations were proposed by government and non-governmental stakeholders that needed further consideration.