Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has hit out at the Health Ministry for failing to show leadership on its decision to refer the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023 again to the Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC).
In a statement today, its president Dr Muruga Raj Rajathurai (above), said the MMA was under the impression that the Bill was ready to be tabled, debated and put to the vote.
After the bill’s first reading today, he questioned whether the PSSC's review can be expedited, enabling debates and voting on the Bill to proceed in the current parliament session.
"This is the second major disappointment after the Health Ministry decided to exempt nicotine from the Poisons Act.
"It begs the question, is the government sincere at all about tabling the bill? We regret having such high hopes after today's shocking decision," he said.
Muruga pointed out that on May 26, Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa announced that it was a "success" for the ministry to finally get the support of the cabinet to table the bill.
Over the weekend, it was confirmed that the bill will be tabled for its first reading today (June 12.)
He added that on June 6, the health minister said the ministry had incorporated all 23 proposed amendments and added five new suggestions to the bill.
This makes it more comprehensive as it covers not only conventional smoking products but also new ones, including electronic and combustible ones.
"She also said the bill retained the generational end game (GEG) provision. To our understanding, a cabinet approval of the bill means that the cabinet agrees with the bill and is ready to be tabled.
"Did the Health Ministry just decide this morning to refer the bill once again to the PSSC for health for further ‘fine-tuning’?" he asked.
The MMA said the decision to refer the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023 again to the PSSC for health will mean that debates on the bill will yet again be delayed.
"Therefore, as the e-cigarette and vape industry remains unregulated, MMA demands that the Health Ministry immediately reverse its decision to exempt nicotine from the Poisons Act.
"We wish to highlight again that the removal of nicotine from the list of controlled substances under the Poisons Act allows any vape – both containing nicotine and non-nicotine – to be sold openly and legally to anyone, including children of any age," he said.
Muruga reminded the government that it would be irresponsible to disregard this issue and its profound impact on public health, particularly the health of the younger generation. - Mkini
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