FPMPAM wants MOH to study the differences in the risk profiles of all non-combustion nicotine products before seeking to ban vape, alongside smoked tobacco, for future generations.
The Galen Centre wants removal of Clause 17 from the tobacco control bill to avoid criminalising smoking/ vaping, possession, and use of tobacco and vape products by the GEG born from 2007.
Anti-tobacco advocates say the law is the first step to forming a smoke-free culture, like in developed countries, citing ongoing Malaysian anti-tobacco educational programmes in school and homes.
"Nothing so needs reforming as other people's habits. Fanatics will never learn that, though it be written in letters of gold across the sky. It is the prohibition that makes anything precious.”
The GEG measures should ensure that it is an offence to legally sell or supply tobacco or vape products to those born from 1 January 2007, but it should not criminalise possession or usage.
Dr Lokman Hakim Sulaiman addresses arguments by Anwar Ibrahim, Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng, Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah, and Subang MP Wong Chen (Wong supports the tobacco bill).
Syed Saddiq cites 3 concerns with a generational smoking/ vaping ban: impact on small traders, personal liberty and a slippery slope for other lifestyle bans, and increased illicit cigarettes.
"Heavy offences" punishable with imprisonment under the tobacco bill target the sale or distribution of tobacco and vape products to those born from 2005.