Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has confirmed that the bill to ban smoking activities and the possession of any smoking products for those born after 2005 is currently in the works by his ministry. Furthermore, the bill is currently being finalised by the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) and will be tabled in Parliament this July.
As reported by national new agency Bernama, the proposed law will also ban electronic cigarettes or vape and that it is meant to reduce the exposure of future generations to cigarettes and smoking products. This is because smoking is a major factor in cancer incidences and accounts for 22% of cancer deaths.
Last month, Khairy announced the introduction of the new law, which is similar to the one being implemented in New Zealand. Speaking during the launching of the national-level community health agent, MyCHAMPION yesterday, the Health Minister said that the new law is one of the efforts by his ministry in intensifying the smoking cessation campaign among Malaysians.
Health Minister, Khairy Jamaluddin.
He also commented that it would be illegal to sell cigarettes to anyone born after 2005 if the bill is passed in Parliament. However, he admitted that enforcement for the proposed law would be a challenge, since young people can just ask adults to buy cigarettes for them.
However, he said that the new law would be an important first step to end the smoking culture in our country. Khairy, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Rembau further said,
“Indeed enforcement will be a challenge. Nothing to stop these young people from asking adults to buy cigarettes for them. But I think this is the first step towards us ending smoking for a generation. It is a generational end game,”
After the bill has been finalised by AGC in about two weeks, it will then be presented to the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health and Technology chaired by MP for Bandar Kuching, Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen.
What do you guys think of the proposed new law? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
Also read: KJ: M’sia May Completely Ban Cigarettes & Other Tobacco-Products For Future Generations
