GEG element removed from anti-smoking Bill

GEG element removed from anti-smoking Bill

KUALA LUMPUR: The generational end-game (GEG) element has been removed from the revised Control of Smoking Products for Public Health 2023 Bill tabled for the first reading in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Nov 28).

This is as the Health Ministry tries for the third time to legislate the anti-smoking law.

The GEG element which sought to ban those born in 2007 and onwards from smoking or purchasing smoking products has been done away with.

The GEG element was part of the Bill tabled for the first reading in June as well as the original version of the Bill then known as the Control of Tobacco Product and Smoking Bill 2022.

Instead, the new version of the Bill prohibits the sale of tobacco products, smoking substance or substitute tobacco products or provide any services for smoking to a minor.

Clause 17(1) of the Bill prohibits minors from smoking, chewing or using any tobacco product or smoke any substitute tobacco product.

“Any person who contravenes subsection(1) commits an offence and shall on conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding RM500 or be ordered to perform community service pursuant to the Criminal Procedure Code or the Child Act 2001,” the Bill read.

The Bill was tabled by Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa (pic).

Dr Zaliha proposed the Bill to be tabled for the second reading on Nov 29.

Dr Zaliha also retracted the previous version of the Bill which was tabled in June.