KUALA LUMPUR — The effectiveness of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) hinges on consistent and robust enforcement, according to the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA).
As the Act is set to come into force on October 1, the MMA has praised the government for taking this decisive step to tackle the health risks posed by smoking and vaping across the country.
While commending Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa for her commitment to pushing the legislation through numerous hurdles, MMA President Datuk Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira stressed that ongoing and diligent enforcement will be crucial to achieving the Act’s intended impact.
“We are especially concerned about the wide sale of vaping products throughout the country through numerous channels including vending machines, which have been allowed to go unchecked.”
“Many of these vaping products sold in the market contain nicotine, leading to early addiction among minors.”
Statistics from the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2022 indicate that e-cigarette and vape use among Malaysian teens aged 13-17 has surged from 9.8% in 2017 to 14.9% in 2022.
The data also shows a concerning gender disparity, with 23.3% of teenage boys using these products compared to 6.2% of girls.
The MMA emphasised that continuous and comprehensive enforcement of the new law is necessary to curb the sale of these products, particularly those targeted at younger demographics.
Additionally, the Association called on the Health Ministry to clarify how it plans to regulate the import and sale of vape liquids, as some may contain harmful substances beyond nicotine.
“Going forward, it is vital that enforcement is consistent and widespread.” Dr Kalwinder added.
The MMA also underscored the importance of public health education alongside the new legislation, urging the government to launch nationwide campaigns to raise awareness, particularly among youths, about the dangers of smoking and vaping. – September 30, 2024