GEG, a move in the right direction

THE good news is that the long-awaited Tobacco and Smoking Control Bill, also known as the “Generational End Game” (GEG), was tabled in the Dewan Rakyat last Wednesday.

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin tabled the Bill for the first reading, conceding that the law will apply to those born from 2007 onwards, and not 2005 as initially proposed.

He said this would allow sufficient time for community education, a solid implementation plan and enforcement.

There are plans to push this Bill, with the second and third readings done, before Aug 4.

If GEG becomes law, those born in and after 2007 will be prohibited from smoking, buying or possessing any type of smoking products, including electronic cigarettes or vape devices, even after reaching the age of 18.

Shopkeepers and cigarette vendors will also be barred from selling such products to this group.

The National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019 estimated that 4.9 million Malaysians aged 15 and above are smokers.

If GEG is passed, the percentage of Malaysian smokers is estimated to be less than 5% by 2040.

But here is the bad news: the bipartisan Dewan Rakyat special select committee (PSC) on health, science and innovation has recommended that the Bill be postponed by three years.

Although the committee, in principle, agrees with the spirit of the Bill, it disagreed with some of the tabled proposed rules, regulations and punishments.

The committee wants the proposed law to be fine-tuned.

While tabling the new law is the right move to initiate the first step towards introducing the GEG, the challenge now is to set the Bill in the right direction.

According to the PSC, with different concerns raised by stakeholders, the Bill must be reviewed to ensure the Act achieves its objective without causing unintended consequences.

However, although the PSC proposal to strengthen the law cannot be ignored, the three years postponement suggested is far too long.

While it is crucial that the GEG law is well-defined, if it is to be successful, it cannot be denied that decisive action is also needed to protect the health of the young.

As Khairy pointed out, more than two million lives will be saved within the next two decades if the GEG law to curb smoking is implemented.

He said the GEG could address cases of premature deaths caused by smoking, as well as reduce smoking-related ailments.

As for the economic impact, while less than RM3bil is collected as tax revenue from the tobacco industry, the cost of three major diseases associated with smoking is estimated to reach RM8bil in 2030.

Noting the concerns of various rights groups, Khairy said GEG offenders would not have a criminal record nor be penalised with a jail term, but they would instead be issued compounds.

With proper enforcement, the GEG can assure a healthier future for our children.

It is now up to our lawmakers to do the right thing.