Subang MP Wong Chen from PKR tackles illicit cigarettes, impact on small businesses, and the slippery slope argument, besides suggesting a sunset clause in the tobacco control bill.
Maria Chin Abdullah from PKR says she doesn’t see how the next generation will quit smoking if authorities fail to curb the entry of illegal cigarettes.
Dr Kelvin Yii says the health, science and innovation parliamentary committee wants the government to ensure that the proposed tobacco control law doesn’t result in unintended consequences.
In a poll of 40 MPs across the aisle, only 12 say they will vote for the tobacco bill; Anwar Ibrahim says the bill must be revised for effective implementation, not bulldozed through.
Ex-Health deputy DG Dr Lokman Hakim Sulaiman asks if Muda is funded by Big Tobacco, telling political parties to declare any conflict of interest with the industry.
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.