Health Ministry delays tabling proposed anti-smoking laws

The tabling of the government’s proposed anti-smoking and vape control bill has been postponed, according to reports.

The Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023 was originally slated to be tabled for its second reading at the Dewan Rakyat tomorrow.

However, the New Straits Times reported that the tabling of the bill is now being postponed to make way for other government businesses on the parliament’s legislative agenda.

No date has been given on when the bill will be re-tabled.

“The presentation of this bill will be made by the Health Ministry in the near future,” the Health Ministry was quoted as saying.

The bill seeks to ban people born after Jan 1, 2007 from smoking traditional and electronic cigarettes (including vape products) throughout their lifetime.

On March 31, the government removed nicotine from the list of controlled substances under the Poisons Act 1952 without reintroducing controls via the long-delayed Control of Tobacco Product and Smoking Bill.

However, the bill will reintroduce controls for purchasing nicotine for electronic cigarettes.

This meant it is currently legal for anyone to purchase nicotine products, including children.

Previously, the Control of Tobacco Product and Smoking Bill was supposed to be tabled for its first reading in parliament on June 12, but hopes it would be passed soon were dashed.

It was instead referred to the Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Health for further scrutiny.

On Oct 5, it was reported that Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the cabinet had decided a day earlier that the bill would be tabled for its second reading on Oct 10.

According to the parliament’s agenda, it was slated to be tabled alongside the PSSC’s report on the bill. - Mkini