PETALING JAYA: The Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023 will not be tabled for second reading on Tuesday (Oct 10), according to a Health Ministry official.
"The Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023 which was scheduled to be tabled for second reading on Tuesday (Oct 10) is postponed to make way for other government affairs in Parliament.
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"The (generational end-game, GEG) Bill will be tabled by the Health Ministry in future," said a Health Ministry official in a brief message on Monday (Oct 9).
"The Health Ministry remains committed to table this Bill to ensure that issues of legal laxity in the regulation of smoking products, including electronic cigarettes or vaping, can be addressed," added the official.
Meanwhile, sources close to the ministry said Budget 2024 and related matters have also pushed the tabling of the Bill to a later date.
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"The Parliamentary Special Select Committee of Health had released its findings. But there are other matters to be looked into first, including those on the order paper," said the source.
The Star is also trying to seek confirmation when the Bill will be tabled.
Last Thursday (Oct 5), Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the Bill would be tabled in Dewan Rakyat on Oct 10 after it was given the nod from the Cabinet on Wednesday (Oct 4) to proceed with the proposed law.
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The Bill was tabled for first reading in June this year and following that it was sent to the Parliamentary special select committee for further review.
During its first reading in June, a maximum fine of RM500 or community service was proposed for anyone born from 2007 onwards caught smoking or vaping, using, or purchasing tobacco or vape products.
The penalty for offenders will be fines below RM500, including community service as an alternative without any criminal record.
