GEORGE TOWN: The Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) has warned that members of parliament (MPs) who vote against the Tobacco and Smoking Control Bill, also known as tobacco generational endgame (GEG) law, will be the enemies of children and future healthy generations.
CAP anti-smoking activist and education officer N.V. Subbarow said there was no excuse for MPs not to support the bill.
"The Tobacco and Smoking Control Bill is the best gift to the future generation. Over 20 countries have banned vape and e-cigarettes.
"It will save two million deaths from smoking habits. It will also save billions of ringgit to our country.
"As such, CAP does not understand why there are MPs who want to practice the 'wait and see attitude' while others say 'it is an individuals right to smoke'," he said today.
Subbarow said it must be understood that puffing away was an addiction.
He said many families suffered as a result of such habits by their family members, who spent half of their income for smoking and not for food.
"If MPs don't support the bill, we will see more cancer patients and sick youths.
"It is time for our MPs to support the bill and become friends of the future generation and not their enemies," he added.
Last Wednesday, the Tobacco and Smoking Control Bill, aimed at snuffing smoking habit and protecting the health of Malaysians, was tabled for the first reading by Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin at the Dewan Rakyat.
The law would apply to those born in 2007 onwards, and not 2005 as initially proposed.
If passed, Malaysia will not only ban smoking but also prohibit the ownership of tobacco and vape products by those born after 2007.
The bill will be tabled for second reading tomorrow and Khairy has urged all MPs to support the bill.