KUALA LUMPUR: The tobacco generational endgame (GEG) policy will be re-examined in terms of its implementation through the Control of Tobacco Product and Smoking Bill 2022, which has yet to be approved in Parliament, said Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa.
"Generally, to me, it (GEG policy) has its advantages, but I have to look at its the implementation process once we have reached a decision as it cannot be drastic...," she said when appearing as a guest on Bernama Radio's Bersama Pemimpin programme here today.
She said this when asked if she would continue the various policies developed by the ministry under her predecessor.
Dr Zaliha said that in helming the ministry, she was open to receiving advices and suggestions from former health ministers and stakeholders.
As Malaysia's first woman health minister, Dr Zaliha said her biggest challenge was to maintain excellence in the ministry and improve the country's healthcare services.
Among other things, the GEG law will prohibit the sale and use of any form of smoking-related products, including electronic cigarettes, to people born from Jan 1, 2007, onwards, with the aim to stop the future generation from smoking.
The bill was tabled for the first reading by former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin on July 27, but was later referred to the Parliamentary Special Select Committee for fine-tuning. — BERNAMA