KUALA LUMPUR: The recent allegations of bribery linked to efforts to weaken or undermine tobacco control policies in the country are a cause for serious concern, says the Malaysian Council for Tobacco Control (MCTC).
Council president Prof Dr Murallitharan Munisamy said such allegations must be investigated through proper legal channels and must not be exploited to derail or discredit the implementation of effective public health laws.
“We must not allow allegations, pressure or intimidation, whether real or manufactured, to distract the country from the real issue, which is protecting public health through strong and enforceable tobacco control laws,” he said in a statement on Monday (Jan 5).
He reiterated that all stakeholders must remain committed to ensuring the success of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852), Malaysia’s first standalone and comprehensive tobacco control legislation, covering tobacco, vape and all related nicotine products.
He also called for strengthening regulatory frameworks and governance, proposing a formal code of conduct governing interactions between the government and the tobacco and nicotine industry, consistent with Article 5.3 of WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
“There should be continuous benchmarking of Malaysia’s tobacco control measures against international public health standards.
“MCTC also proposes a review of minimum sales prices for all nicotine products, including conventional cigarettes, heated tobacco and vaping products aligned with any excise tax increases to prevent affordability from undermining health objectives.
“Tax policy alone is insufficient if products remain affordable. Price and access must be addressed together,” he said.
Dr Murallitharan added that effective tobacco control depends on consistent and equitable enforcement nationwide, and that weak or selective implementation risks rendering the law ineffective and undermining public confidence.
MCTC is also in favour of Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad’s openness to introducing a retail display ban, a proven measure internationally to reduce product visibility, impulse purchases and youth initiation, he said.
“However, tobacco control in Malaysia still has unfinished business. Previous regulations allowed exemptions and grey areas, particularly in designated non-smoking zones.
“These gaps must now be addressed decisively to achieve the core objectives of tobacco control,” he said.
He highlighted the objectives as protecting the public from the harms of exposure to tobacco smoke, reducing smoking prevalence in line with the tobacco endgame, and safeguarding children from the normalisation and influence of adult smoking in public spaces.
He noted that special attention is required for public walkways, city centres and high-density urban areas, including Kuala Lumpur and public areas, where non-smoking compliance remains weak and public exposure to second-hand smoke persists.
