MyWatch supports calls for RCI on Tobacco Bill

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Women’s Action for Tobacco Control and Health (MyWatch) has called on the Rulers Council to consider a request for a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on health.

It said the RCI is needed especially on issues impacting the delisting of nicotine from Poisons Act 1952, tobacco and related industries interference on the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health 2023 and the elimination of the Generational Endgame (GEG).

"It has been almost 20 years since Malaysia became a party to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in 2005, yet regretfully the government still does not seem to understand what exactly it has committed to," said the non-governmental organisation in a statement on Saturday (March 16).

It said Article 5.3 of the FCTC has clearly stated the guidelines that parties are obliged to protect its public health policies from commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry.

It said the recent revelation by Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni that tobacco lobbyists had stopped the GEG, was an absolute violation of the Convention that has brought about shame to Malaysia.

"This confession also challenges the fundamental principles of the Madani government which slogan is good governance, sustainable development and racial harmony.

"The economic costs and magnitude of health burden from tobacco and vape in the long term could lead to chaos in the society.

"As such the government is fully responsible for safeguarding the health of its citizen, especially that of future generations," added Mywatch.