KUALA LUMPUR: The postponement of the tabling of the Control of Smoking Product for Public Health Bill 2023 will only lead to more young people developing smoking habits.
The Malaysian Youth Council (MYC), expressing disappointment with the decision, pointed out that a growing number of young people have picked up vaping. This is evident from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2022, which reported an increase in teenage vape users from 9.8 per cent in 2017 to 14.9 per cent in 2022.
"MYC believes that postponing the bill's approval, including the provisions for the Generational Endgame Bill, will only prolong the issue of regulating these tobacco products.
"The industry will continue to promote and sell these products, attracting more young people to develop smoking habits," it said in a statement.
MYC stressed that the government should support efforts to pass the bill to ensure Malaysians are free from smoking practices.
"The issue of smoking, especially vaping, is concerning because the products may not only contain very high nicotine levels but also potentially be mixed with dangerous drugs such as magic mushrooms (Psilocybin mushrooms) and others.
"It is widely known that drug addiction often starts with smoking, and when young people become ensnared in such an addiction, the country bears the losses.
"Hence, the government must act promptly and should not delay the process of presenting and approving this bill," it said, adding that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim should intervene in the matter to ensure the Madani community's vision can be achieved.
MYC, which is represented by 41 affiliated organisations, expresses its commitment in assisting and becoming a strategic partner to the Health Ministry to conduct intervention and prevention activities related to smoking, especially involving young people through the Generational Endgame Anti-Smoking (GEGAR-18) programme.
"MYC hopes that efforts to make Malaysia free from any form of smoking habit will lead to a positive and harmonious environment, creating a conducive ecosystem for the development of youth in Malaysia," it said.
The Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023 which was scheduled to be tabled for second reading on Oct 10 has been postponed.
The Bill was tabled for first reading in June this year before it was sent to the parliamentary special select committee for review.
