Khairy Jamaluddin on July 8 affirmed that sentencing of individual possession of vape or cigarette will not be part of the Tobacco and Smoking Control Bill, seeking to forbid smoking for the upcoming generations.
According to the sentiments of the health minister, “minor offenses, ” including consumption or personal possession of vapes or cigarettes, will not be subjected to incarceration.
Other punitive actions will remain unchanged, even though no additional details were shared on what the government plans to penalize individuals of the age of 18 or below who will be found vaping or smoking from next year in case the bill receives a majority nod and implemented in 2023.
However, according to Khairy, the draft bill proposes conviction of “heavy offenders” which includes individuals taking part in the trading and distribution of vape as well as tobacco products to people born starting 1 January 2005.
Khairy shared with reporters that for those considered minor offenders (found guilty of individual possession of vapes or cigarettes), there won’t be jail sentencing. However, incarceration will only apply to those considered heavy offenders (including unlawful sale). However, when it comes to individual possession, no jail terms will apply. Khairy stated these during the launch of the Generational End Game Advocacy Road Show (Gegar Wanita) which was held at Universiti Putra in Malaysia.
Khairy stated that the Bill would be tabled before the cabinet in the coming week before it’s tabled in Parliament sometime in the month.
Among what will be included in the revised draft Bill is vaping products and electronic cigarettes alongside regular tobacco products such as cigarettes, with Khairy terming the previous as something that had “gone out of control” because they started operating in Malaysia about 20 years ago.
“That’s why we need a specific law to regulate all smoking products. Through the proposed Bill, we can regulate, for the first time, the vape or electronic cigarette industry,” Stated Khairy.
He added that it had gone overboard, and that they had permitted companies to sell their products to Malaysians for decades, more so to children and teens.
According to Khairy, it is possible to impose tight regulations on the marketing of vape and electronic cigarettes (using the Bill). And that it is also possible to exercise oversight and control of ingredients and chemicals involved in the vape liquids which are later sold to the youth.
Khairy claimed that surveys have revealed that the masses are in full support of the outlawing of smoking, even those who are smoking currently and those born in 2005 and further.
Khairy said that she believed no smoker in the country would wish their kids to be tobacco addicts, claiming it was the appropriate moment to totally ban smoking among young individuals in Malaysia.
The event was also graced by Rina Mohd Harun, The Minister for Women, Family, and Community Development.
Gegar Wanita presented Rina and Khairy with a memorandum to show solidarity with the proposals of the federal government to ban smoking.
The memorandum encourages all legislators to make sure the Tobacco and Smoking Control Bill is tabled as slated in the course of the month and that they should back and pass the Bill as it is to salvage the upcoming generations. It also stated that the current Control of Tobacco Product Regulations 2004 (PPKHT) was no longer effective in curbing smoking in the country.
Members of the Gegar Wanita include representatives of the PEMADAM, National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM), Malaysian Women’s Action for Tobacco Control and Health (MyWatch), IKRAM Health, the Malaysian Green Lung Association, and Malaysian Council for Child Welfare (MKKM).
Also represented are 42 civil societies, professional and medical associations, and five individuals.
