KUALA LUMPUR, November 29 — Former Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin voiced dissatisfaction with the federal government for excluding the Generational End Game (GEG) clause from the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023. Khairy, a key architect of the GEG provision, expressed disappointment, calling the day a “sad day” for public health. He emphasized that the omission would permit the continued sale of tobacco and vape products without adequate safeguards for future generations.
Khairy acknowledged that the bill still contains regulations for the sale of vape products but underscored the missed opportunity for a groundbreaking legislative move to enhance public health protection. He attributed the exclusion of the GEG clause to robust lobbying efforts by tobacco companies in Malaysia. Despite this setback, Khairy remains hopeful about the ongoing battle to reduce smoking among youths, stating, “One day, public health will triumph.”
