PETALING JAYA: It will be a major challenge for the authorities to reduce tobacco use among adults in the country by December 2025 as the number of smokers is still high, say health experts.
They said the generational endgame (GEG) element of the anti-smoking laws should be brought back to ensure Malaysia reaches its target to reduce tobacco smoking among adults.
Currently, the percentage of prevalence of tobacco smokers stands at 19%, according to the National Health Morbidity Survey 2023.
If the deadline is set for next year, public health expert Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar proposed that the government re-introduce and implement strict anti-smoking provisions such as GEG.
Dr Zainal, who was part of the task force in 2011 that set the target of 15%, said this would ensure that the number of smokers will go down.
“Perhaps it would take more than a year to hit the target, even though there is only 4% to go.
“We need more effective laws to curb conventional smoking.
“Additionally, the support system and services must be effective in assisting people as it requires time and effort to end an addictive habit,” he said when contacted yesterday.
In 2023, the GEG element, which sought to ban those born in 2007 and onwards from smoking or purchasing smoking products, was removed from the revised Control of Smoking Products for Public Health 2023 Bill, prompting criticism from health experts.
Following the enforcement of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) on Oct 1, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said it would help reduce the national prevalence of tobacco smokers to 15% among adults.
Public health medicine specialist Prof Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh said the new law would deter sales of tobacco products to minors.
She also said the focus should be on current smokers as it is harder for them to quit the habit.
“Not only do we need them to stop smoking, but we also need to deter them from shifting to another addictive substance such as drugs or psychoactive ingredients.
“With the new law, tobacco products can be stopped from being sold openly, especially to minors.
“We need to be cautious as some countries which implemented a similar law saw the emergence of the illicit trade of cheaper alternatives,” she added.
National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM) managing director Dr Murallitharan Munisamy said the target is unrealistic considering there are tobacco users who are “dual smokers”, using both conventional cigarettes and vaping products.
“There is a lot of catching up to do. But having the law now in force, we could set the timeline to 2026 instead.
“The issue now is that smokers would look to vaping when they quit smoking.
“However, they become dual users of both cigarettes and vape,” he said.
Prof Dr Victor Hoe from the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, said a whole-of-society approach was needed to curb the habit.
Organisations should be given the authority to enforce no- smoking bans within their premises, he said.
For example, a university’s auxiliary police could be given the authority to issue compound notices on those who smoke within the institution.
“Right now, there are laws in place to curb smoking in public spaces, but the security personnel in universities and hospitals have the power to issue compounds against their own staff or students only, and not visitors found smoking there.
“Auxiliary police can be given the power to deal with people who smoke within their designated areas,” he added.
