Consider children in all policies, urges expert

KUALA LUMPUR - Policy makers and politicians should always consider children in all policies to be made in the future.

Voice of the Children (VoC) Chairman Sharmila Sekaran said it is important for all politicians and policy makers to priotise children on how any policy would impact a child.

"Policy makers and politicians both in the current government, the message is very clear. Do consider children in all policies being made," she said.

Sharmila further said VoC is very concerned on the impact of nicotine on the children and teenagers since the impact is tremendous.

"The impact on childrens ia high as they are still in the developing stages of their life, their lungs and brains are still developing.

"The impact on certain categoriesof children cannot be disregarded, particularly children who come from underpriviliged background.

"The impact of even the slightest exposure to any addictive substance like nicotine cannot be underscored," she said in a press conference held today.

The Malaysian Council For Tabacco Control, the Malaysian Green Lung Association (MGLA) and VoC filed a judicial review leave application at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Friday last week.

The judicial review was on the Health Ministry’s decision on March 31 to revoke nicotine from the list of controlled substances under the Poisons Act with the aim of introducing a new bill to regulate smoking products and devices, including nicotine in liquids and gels used in e-cigarettes and vapes.

Commenting further, Sharmila said Malaysia is moving towards developing a new generation of nicotine addicts rather than moving towards generational-end-game.

"The reason we are seeking judicial review from the court because these products are widely available and accessible to children, it is being sold outside schools.

"The number of children who are coming in contact with these substances are going to be affected in the long term, therefore, parents need to be extra vigilant, concerned and be aware of what is happening in society.

"Not only parents, every single person has to take part in protecting the children in Malaysia," she stressed.