‘We were not pressured’

KUALA LUMPUR: The Generational End Game (GEG) component of the government’s anti-smoking Bill was dropped due to a constitutionality issue, says Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, walking back comments from his deputy last week who had said that it was due to industry pressure.

“We wanted the GEG (provision) to be included (in the Act) – however, an issue on constitutionality was raised by the Attorney General’s Chamber,” he told the Dewan Rakyat here yesterday.

“That was the only reason why we dropped GEG from the proposed Act (last year).

“It was just that and it has got nothing to do with lobbyists as what was assumed or perceived out there,” he said, responding to Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.

The GEG, which would have made it illegal for those born in 2007 and later from smoking or purchasing smoking products, was initially part of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health 2023 Bill, which had been drafted by the previous government.

However, the GEG was dropped when the unity government tabled the anti-smoking Bill in Parliament last year, leading critics to accuse the administration of bowing to pressure from tobacco industry lobbyists.

When Kapar MP Dr Halimah Ali asked about these allegations last week in the Dewan Rakyat, Deputy Health Minister Lukanisman Awang said: “On pressure from the industry – we need support from all quarters. If we look at our experience when we tabled GEG, a conflict of views arose due to industry pressure. The industry entered Parliament, and met with MPs, which influenced the decision.”

In the House yesterday, Dr Dzulkefly said that Lukanisman’s explanation was “factually incorrect” and had been wrongly interpreted.

“After looking at the Hansard and (getting an) explanation from the Deputy Health Minister (Lukanisman Awang), I found that it was Kapar MP (Dr Halimah) who had mentioned issues on the industry and lobbyists.

“However, the point that was raised, saying the influence was extended – by the lobbyists – to the government and the Cabinet, was factually incorrect,” he added.