The postponement of a briefing session on the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023 for MPS has raised doubts, according to a group of medical experts known as Medical Mythbusters Malaysia.
Medical Mythbusters Malaysia, a group of medical experts that provides alternative sources of valid information related to the field, has called on Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa to explain the situation.
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In a Facebook post on Monday, the group stated, “Does this mean the Bill will be delayed again? Why should it be delayed? There needs to be an explanation. That’s why… we mentioned (that) the role of the people (is) to put pressure so that there is transparency.
“It is hoped that (the minister) can explain the reason for the delay. As long as there is no law… our young people are free to be recruited to become nicotine addicts,” the group added.
Earlier, the Health Ministry issued a memo stating that the briefing session with Parliamentarians on the Bill, scheduled for 5pm, has been postponed.
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According to reports, the Bill was initially slated for its second reading in Parliament on Tuesday.
Dr Zaliha confirmed that the Bill received approval from the Cabinet last week.
She mentioned that the Bill was first tabled on June 12 but was subsequently referred to the Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC) on Health for further scrutiny.
She added that after thorough examination, the bipartisan PSSC had expressed support for the Bill in order to strengthen the proposed law.
In June of the previous year, then health minister Khairy Jamaluddin introduced the Control of Tobacco Product and Smoking Bill 2022, also known as the generational end game (GEG) Bill, in an attempt to address the issue of smoking and vaping among youths.
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However, the proposed law faced opposition during the first and second readings in July and August of that year.
Following its referral to the PSSC in August, a report was presented in the Dewan Rakyat on October 5. However, the proposed law came to a halt when Parliament was dissolved five days later to make way for GE15.
Under the current Bill, fines for suppliers under the proposed GEG ban on tobacco and vaping are set to increase, while lower fines are proposed for buyers or consumers in the affected group.
During its first reading in June, the Bill proposed a maximum fine of RM500 or community service as an alternative penalty for anyone born from 2007, without a criminal record, caught smoking or vaping, using, or purchasing tobacco or vape products.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
