As we commemorate World No Tobacco Day 2024 on May 31, 2024, the Malaysian Pharmacists Society (MPS) emphasises the urgent need for the government to expedite the implementation of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 that was passed in November 2023 and gazetted in February 2024.
Despite its passage, enforcement has been stalled as the Ministry of Health (MOH) continues to develop the necessary regulations. We would like to highlight that these regulations do not require further approval from the Dewan Rakyat, but fall under the jurisdiction of the Cabinet.
With the Health Minister’s announcement that the law and regulations will come into effect in June 2024, MPS expects no further delays in this critical public health measure.
In line with this year’s theme, MPS stresses the importance of the government standing firm against the influence and pressure exerted by the tobacco and vape industries.
World No Tobacco Day 2024 serves as a significant platform for young people worldwide to demand robust protection from the aggressive and predatory marketing tactics employed by the tobacco industry.
These tactics specifically target the youth, aiming to secure lifelong profits through new waves of addiction. Disturbingly, the prevalence of e-cigarette use among children surpasses that of adults in all regions, with an estimated 37 million youths aged 13 to 15 years globally using tobacco.
MPS also voices its deep concern over the ongoing lack of regulation regarding nicotine liquids and gels. It has been 14 months since these products were excluded from the Poisons Act (Amendment) 2022, leaving a regulatory gap that continues to endanger our youth.
This prolonged delay in implementing comprehensive tobacco control laws exacerbates the risk of nicotine addiction among young people, exposing them to significant health hazards.
The urgency to enforce the tobacco control law cannot be overstated. The Malaysian Pharmacists Society firmly believes that the immediate implementation of these regulations is crucial to safeguard public health, particularly the health and well-being of our younger generation.
By doing so, we can prevent the onset of nicotine addiction and protect our children from the harmful effects of tobacco use.
MPS remains committed to advocating for stringent tobacco control measures and urges the government to fulfill its responsibility in protecting the health of the Malaysian population.
We call on all stakeholders to support these efforts and to work collaboratively towards a healthier, tobacco-free future.
- This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of CodeBlue.
