KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Council for Tobacco Control (MCTC) has sounded the alarm, urging the government to step up and take proactive measures to control nicotine addiction among Malaysians.
This call to action came in response to the recent amendment to the Poisons Act 1952, which legalised nicotine-laced products, overruling the decision of the Poisons Board.
In a statement released today, MCTC chairman Dr Murallitharan Munisamy outlined short-term, mid-term, and long-term measures that should be implemented to safeguard the health of Malaysians.
The council demanded swift action from the government to protect the health of Malaysians, particularly children and young people, by limiting their exposure to nicotine in e-cigarettenst devices.
"Limiting exposure to nicotine in e-cigarette devices could be achieved through collaboration with other agencies and ministries, given the lack of significant health legislative tools to curb harm," he said.
Dr Murallitharan also called on the government to expedite the tabling of the Control of Tobacco Products and Smoking Bill, which includes comprehensive measures for vaping and electronic cigarettes, prohibiting their use to those under 18 years of age.
"Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) has given his commitment that this will be done in the next Parliament sitting in May, and we implore that this timeline be adhered to without further excuses," he said.
He added that the government, through the Health Ministry and other agencies, needs to announce a comprehensive strategy to contain and control nicotine addiction, which is expected to continue to rise exponentially.
"Education campaigns need to be strengthened and significant resources must be devoted to this move.
"Equally important is the widening of cessation services and the provision of services to people who are addicted to nicotine, irrespective of whether they are using conventional cigarettes or e-cigarettes.
"A roadmap and national level-control plan need to be announced post-haste, with adequate funding and implementation mechanisms to ensure that it is carried out."
He noted that the MCTC had engaged with numerous stakeholders, including Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa on April 6.
However, he said, their plea was met with disappointment as the government refused to reconsider what he called a "poorly thought-out move".
Dr Murallitharan expressed concerns about the dangerous precedent set by prioritising revenue over the health of Malaysians, particularly children and young people.
"The minister herself had stated in the meeting that she had carried out the move with a 'heavy heart', but had to do it due to 'economic considerations'.
"The lives of our people are invaluable and incomparable to some paltry ringgit
and cent which can be earned through other mechanisms not designed to harm the health of Malaysians," he said.
He also highlighted the lack of preparedness of other government agencies in collecting the tax on e-cigarettes and vaping products.
"Despite the haste in which the order to remove nicotine was carried out so that it could be taxed come April 1, other government agencies have been little prepared to be able to collect the said tax.
"A voluntary registration exercise is only now being carried out till April 30 for e-cigarette and vaping manufacturers to register their companies and products; and only after that will any actual taxation be carried out, with no clarity on when actual tax collection would begin."