Re-list nicotine under Poisons Act immediately, says public health specialists group

PETALING JAYA: The government should immediately re-list nicotine under the Poisons Act 1952 to protect children and teenagers, says the Malaysian Public Health Specialists Association (PPPKAM).

It said it fully supports the motion by the Malaysian Medical Association and Malaysian Pharmacists Association, urging the government to re-list nicotine as a controlled substance following the delay in tabling the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023 in Parliament.

"Liquid nicotine currently which has been de-listed from the Poisons Act 1952 can be obtained by anyone including underage children and teenagers, where clinical research has shown it will bring a negative impact," said PPPKAM president Prof Dr Mohamed Rusli Abdullah in statement on Tuesday (June 13).

Mohamed Rusli said the delay in approving the Bill also means the use of nicotine in electronic cigarettes and vape is not regulated under any specific laws following the de-listing by the government a few months ago.

"The association stresses that serious immediate action is needed to protect the health of this generation, and we definitely would not want this generation to become victims of product abuse which should be controlled by enforcing the law.”