KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 — Anti-tobacco groups have condemned the Federal Territories Mufti Office’s (FTMO) recent meeting with Philip Morris Malaysia that they described as classic tobacco industry interference.
The Malaysian Council for Tobacco Control (MCTC) and Medical Mythbusters Malaysia (M3) highlighted Article 5.3 of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) that requires countries to protect public health policies from interference by the tobacco industry.
“In light of this, MCTC calls on all public officials to fully comply with Article 5.3 of the WHO FCTC,” MCTC president Prof Dr Murallitharan Munisamy said in a statement today.
“Avoid any unnecessary engagement, collaboration, or support with the tobacco industry. Ensure full transparency in any interactions that are strictly necessary for regulatory purposes.”
After a visit by Philip Morris Malaysia representatives to the FTMO in Putrajaya last Tuesday, the FTMO announced that it was looking at “productive fatwas” for “Shariah-compliant” alternatives to smoked tobacco. Philip Morris sells heated tobacco products in Malaysia.
In 2015, the Special Muzakarah of the Fatwa Committee of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs Malaysia decided that the use of e-cigarettes and vapes was “haram” (forbidden).
According to FTMO’s Facebook post of photos of the tobacco company’s meeting with FT Mufti Ahmad Fauwaz Fadzil, the Philip Morris Malaysia delegation was led by managing director Naeem Shahab Khan.
Similarly, M3 said all government agencies and authoritative bodies should limit interactions with the tobacco industry to strictly necessary technical matters, with clear objectives and transparent documentation.
“Authoritative bodies, including religious institutions, should avoid any form of recognition that could be interpreted as legitimising the safety or benefits of vape products.
“Any narrative portraying vaping as ‘safe’ or a ‘healthy alternative’ is inconsistent with current health evidence,” M3 wrote on its Facebook page.
“M3 stresses that the industry must not be involved in the process of drafting public health policy. Its role should be limited to regulatory compliance, not as a strategic partner in policymaking.
“M3 also notes several past policy developments that may have been influenced by industry interests, including changes to nicotine controls and product regulatory structures. This reinforces the need to strengthen mechanisms that protect public policy from conflicts of interest.”
