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Anti-smoking law expected to be enforced by October, says Dzulkefly

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The Smoking Products Control Act for Public Health 2024 is expected to be enforced by this October, said Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad.

Dzulkefly stated that all regulations and orders under the act have received approval from the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) and are now awaiting return to the Ministry of Health (MOH).

"We are in the final phase. This October, God willing, we will launch four regulations and one order, all of which we have been approved by the AGC.

"We have already delayed (on the enforcement once), and hope to implement it in October. We might want to pursue it in September but if we can't, it will be in October," he said after officiating the 2024 National World Thalassemia Day Celebration at Hospital Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah (HSAAS), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).

The Smoking Products Control Act for Public Health 2024 will regulate matters related to registration, advertising, control over sales and purchase of tobacco products, smoking materials and tobacco substitute products, including related sales and services for smoking to minors. The bill was passed in Dewan Rakyat on November 30 last year and gazetted in February this year.

However, the Act does not include the GEG (Generational-End-Game) that was initially proposed to ban the sale and use of any form of smoking material including electronic cigarettes or vaping to individuals born on January 1, 2007. The GEG is meant to achieve progress towards a smoke-free generation.

Dzulkelfy also said the war against smoking requires a whole-of-government, whole-of-society approach, with the participation of all parties. “This includes non-governmental organisations, teachers, retailers, politicians and enforcement bodies, and Malaysians, in general.

"We must be united in curbing the smoking and vaping culture. For those who don't smoke, don't start and for smokers, seek help to kick the habit at health clinics nearby,” he said.

Dzulkefly said that in line with Article 5.3 of the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), the act would see more stringent control on the sale of vape products to underage children.

Citing the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS),  Dzulkefly said the percentage of teenagers aged 13 to 17 who smoked conventional cigarettes decreased from 13.8% in 2017 to 6.2% in 2022. However, he pointed out that vaping or e-cigarette usage increased from 9.8% in 2017 to 14.9% in 2022. “This is a wake-up call for all of us,” he said.

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