Tabling of GEG Bill delayed

PETALING JAYA: The revised anti-smoking Bill will not be tabled for a second reading as scheduled, due to Budget 2024 and other government affairs taking precedence in Parliament, according to a Health Ministry source.

“The Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC) on Health has released its findings but there are other matters that need to be looked into first, including those on the order paper and Budget 2024.

“The Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023 will not be tabled for second reading tomorrow (today).

“It has been postponed to make way for other government affairs in Parliament,” said the source.

The source, however, said that the Health Ministry is committed to tabling the Bill to ensure that issues of legal laxity in the regulation of smoking products, including electronic cigarettes or vapes, could be addressed.

It is learnt that the Bill will be tabled during the current Parliament sitting, which ends on Nov 30.

“Yes, there are unforeseen delays.

“But I assure you that the ministry remains committed to ensuring this Bill sees the light of the day before this Parliament sitting ends,” said the official in a brief message yesterday.

The PSSC said it had taken into account elements of the Bill such as the advertising, promotion, labelling, sale and purchase of smoking products.

“The committee also takes note of the need for a more in-depth surveillance on smoking products, such as the registration mechanism, packaging, labelling and sale.

“The Health Ministry informs that this matter will be further detailed in this Bill,” it added in a statement yesterday.

The committee said there would be no overlapping in the roles of the two ministries involved, adding that the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry would monitor the safety aspect of smoking devices while the Health Ministry would oversee the advertisement of smoking devices.

“The committee agrees that the Bill is needed for all kinds of smoking products including electronic cigarettes and vape,” it said.

It agreed to the proposal to lower the quantum of the proposed maximum fine of RM500 to RM250.

“The committee takes note of the Health Ministry’s feedback that if the offence under clause 18 and 19 is maintained, the fine can be reduced from RM500 to RM250 and the community service punishment is maintained,” it said.

Last Thursday, Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa announced that the Bill would be tabled in Dewan Rakyat on Oct 10 after it was given the nod from the Cabinet to proceed with the proposed law, which would pave the way for a smoke-free future through the Generational End Game (GEG).

The Bill was tabled for first reading in June this year before being sent to the PSSC for further review.

During the session, a maximum fine of RM500 or community service was proposed to punish those born from 2007 onwards who are caught smoking or vaping, or using or purchasing tobacco or vape products.