SHAH ALAM - The health ministry will table the new Tobacco and Smoking Control Bill in the next Parliament sitting mid this year, the ministry's technical advisor has said.
Dr Helmy Haja Mydin added that the bill is at its final stages of approval by Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
"Khairy is planning to table it during the second seating of Parliament this year," he told Sinar Daily.
Some of the measures included are ban on display of cigarettes at outlets and a ban on tobacco products including vape and e-cigarettes to those born after 2005.
The consultant respiratory physician added there has "a lot of support" from smokers, healthcare professionals, economists, and even youths.
"There is an understanding that the policies are not to punish smokers, but to help smokers quit, save the country money from reduced healthcare and environmental expenditure and to reduce the probability of non-smokers starting," he said
However, he said it's "natural" to have negative feedback from those with vested interests fearful of lower profits.
"The generational ban is just one component of the Act," he said.
He said tobacco control policies have to be multi-faceted as one approach will not reduce smoking within the community.
"It is this holistic approach to quit smoking services, reducing exposure to cigarettes, increasing taxes, improving enforcement will ultimately help us reduce the scourge of smoking in our society," Helmy added.