KUALA LUMPUR, November 18 – The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) is expressing deep concern regarding recent lobbying efforts by the tobacco and vape industry in the Malaysian Parliament. These lobbying activities have sought to delay the implementation of the Generational End Game (GEG) legislation, a move that CAP considers a grave threat to public health. In recent engagements with members of parliament (MPs), representatives of the tobacco and vape industries have been actively working to undermine the GEG legislation. CAP finds it alarming that these industries have had the opportunity to influence policy-makers and potentially derail a critical public health initiative.
Article 5.3 of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) emphasizes the need to protect public health policies from the undue influence of commercial and vested interests, including those of the tobacco industry. It is the government’s duty to safeguard public health policies and prioritize the well-being of its citizens. CAP believes that measures should be introduced to minimize interactions between MPs and the tobacco and vape industries, ensuring transparency in such engagements. The recent incident involving lobbying within the Parliament by these industries raises serious concerns and challenges the integrity of the legislative process.
The role of the Special Select Committee on Health (JKPK) is to refine the Smoking Product Control Bill (RUU) and provide recommendations to policymakers, not to be influenced by vested interests. On October 11, 2023, Health Minister YB Dr. Zaliha Mustafa issued a press statement calling on Malaysians to participate in a public survey regarding the GEG initiative. The GEG aims to prohibit the sale of tobacco and smoking products to individuals born on or after January 1, 2007. CAP views the need for a public survey on nicotine use, a highly addictive substance, as unwarranted.
It is the government’s duty to prioritize public health over other interests. The Special Select Committee on Health should be allowed to assess the GEG and strengthen the bill without interference. The Smoking Product Control Bill (RUU) was previously scrutinized and approved by JKPK in the previous parliament. However, before it could be debated and passed, the parliament was dissolved, and this delay, allegedly due to pressure from the tobacco lobby, is unjustified. Arguments asserting individual rights to vape should be weighed against the greater responsibility of society to protect individuals from self-harm and the associated healthcare burdens.
The government’s role is to limit individual liberties when necessary for public health reasons. CAP is now urging the complete prohibition of e-cigarettes and vapes, as it firmly believes that the lives of younger generations should not be sacrificed for the profit of the tobacco and vape industries. Given the overwhelming scientific evidence of the serious health consequences associated with e-cigarettes and vapes, the current parliament is urged to expedite the passing of the GEG legislation.
