PETALING JAYA: With about a month to go before the Dewan Rakyat sits, health groups are urging for the anti-smoking Bill, dubbed the Generational End Game (GEG), to be urgently tabled again so that the younger generation will not be exposed to unregulated nicotine-based products.
Malaysian Pharmacists Society president Amrahi Buang said the onus is now on the government to fulfil its promise to end tobacco usage for the younger generation through the GEG or the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023.
Although the GEG is currently referred back to the Parliamentary Special Select Committee for Health for further fine-tuning, Amrahi said it should not deter the Health Ministry from retabling the Bill this October.
“This has been a longstanding issue. There should not be any more delays since it comes from the government.
“We have given our input so let the lawmakers debate this issue in the coming Parliament sitting.
“After that, we can see the outcome (whether the Bill will be passed),” he said when contacted.
Amrahi, who is a strong supporter of the GEG Bill, said he would like to see better regulations on nicotine-based products as it could pose a health risk to the younger generation.
“Right now, the young generation is exposed since nicotine was removed from the Poisons List,” he said.
“With the GEG Bill, we hope to see measures put in place to combat the rise of nicotine abuse among the people.”
Malaysia Society for Harm Reduction chairman Prof Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh is optimistic that the GEG Bill will be tabled again in the August House soon.
Dr Sharifa, however, urged the government to consider the use of vape with regulated nicotine-based liquid as an alternative for heavy smokers who are looking to quit smoking.
“It is time to see the GEG Bill passed (in Parliament) soon.
“We need stronger measures to address unregulated nicotine-based products.
“The GEG comprised many good things to address the end of tobacco use, so the government needs to consider alternatives other than the usual methods to quit smoking such as nicotine gums and patches.
“We are not advocating people to rely on nicotine-based ecigarettes or vape but we need non-combustible alternatives for those who are unable to quit smoking,” she said.
Dr Sharifa said Malaysia should follow other countries in implementing regulation on nicotine-based products such as the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia in efforts to ensure the success of the GEG Bill.
On June 12, Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the GEG Bill, after its first reading at the Dewan Rakyat, would be referred back to the select committee for further fine-tuning.
She said the move was in accordance with Rule 54 (1) of the Standing Orders of the Dewan Rakyat for the committee to make recommendations, as well as further examine the Bill and related provisions to provide checks and balances.
When the Bill was introduced last year under then health minister Khairy Jamaluddin, it was also referred back to the select committee for further review after receiving resistance from a number of lawmakers.
The Bill is looking to regulate the sale, purchase and consumption of cigarettes and other smoking products among those born in 2007 and later.
Under the Bill, the enforcement in relation to the registration, advertising, packaging, sale and use of conventional tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, loose tobacco and rolled cigarettes will be enforced for the GEG generation once it is passed.
Any enforcement on laws regarding the sale, purchase and use of products with smoking devices such as vape, liquid nicotine and others by the GEG generation will come into force at a later date.
During the national-level celebration of World No-Tobacco Day, Dr Zaliha called on all parties to support the retabling of the Bill.
She said the issue needs to be taken seriously due to the smoking habit among the people, especially with a rise in the usage of electronic cigarettes and vaping.
