Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong emphasized the need to focus on how different tobacco products such as cigars, shisha, cigarettes, and vapes are regulated as they are all unique and cannot be regulated in the same way.
He also called for further studies to be carried out on the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023 to ensure its effectiveness, including finding a way to tax the industry effectively and possibly banning harmful products.
The Dewan Rakyat passed the Bill on Nov 30.
Dr Wee highlighted the importance of ensuring the safety of vape products in a Facebook video, stressing the need for a suitable mechanism to be put in place. He also questioned whether health warnings and graphic images on cigarette packaging should be made compulsory for vape packaging as well, considering the potential variations in harm levels between the two products.
He also raised concerns about the strength of nicotine in vape products, international standards to be followed, and limitations on vape flavors to prevent youth temptations.
Dr Wee further inquired about the minimum price of tobacco products and the potential restriction of their sale, as well as measures to ensure vape products are not sold near schools.
He commended Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa for her efforts in tabling the Bill, acknowledging her success in providing a legal platform to regulate tobacco products.
