PETALING JAYA: The Control of Tobacco Products and Smoking Bill 2022 along with the Generational Endgame (GEG) provisions need to be presented in Parliament and approved immediately, says the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP).
CAP president Mohideen Abdul Kader said this was to overcome the issue of lack of legal control over electronic cigarette or vape products after the exemption of nicotine from the Poisons Act 1952 on April 1.
He said the absence of a clear and comprehensive law to regulate the advertising, promotion, packaging, sale and use of these products poses a serious risk to public health, especially teenagers and children.
"The use of electronic cigarette or vape products with various attractive flavours and 'dirty' marketing tactics by industry players have attracted the younger generation to try and use electronic cigarettes or vape, which carries the risk of addiction and long-term effects on their health," Mohideen said in a statement on Wednesday (May 24).
"CAP calls on the government to immediately implement the commitment by presenting the Bill together with the GEG provisions in Parliament to deal with this urgent issue,” he added.
Mohideen said the Bill should not be made into a political issue as it is a health issue that should be taken seriously by all MPs who are responsible for protecting society from the dangers of smoking products.
"Therefore, we strongly urge the government to prioritise public health by fulfilling the promises made to the people and present the Bill and the GEG provisions immediately so that it becomes a law without delay," he added.
