KUCHING: The Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) must conduct a detailed study before introducing the bill to ban smoking activities and possession of any smoking products including electronic cigarettes (vape) by youth born after 2005, said Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Hamzah.
He was asked to comment on Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin’s statement on March 26 on the bill which would be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat this July.
Khairy said it was being finalised by the Attorney General and was expected to be completed in two weeks.
Abdul Karim pointed out that the bill could not be done in a hurry and required a detailed study.
“The MOH can get views from the community, religious bodies and others before making a decision on the issue.
“It is also important to avoid confusion among the community about the groups which are allowed to smoke and which policy they will follow,” he said when met after officiating at the closing ceremony of Meow City Bundle Fest ’01 at the Mydin Samariang car park here yesterday.
Abdul Karim said that cigarette production was one of the business industries and sometimes concerns would arise in relation to such a policy, especially if there was a change in the Minister of Health in the future.
“We are aware that the smoking habit has long been practised in the community.We really need to educate and raise awareness about smoking and even parents can educate children from an early age.
“Currently, if the law is tabled, it may cause confusion and many questions will arise,” he said.
Abdul Karim emphasised that he did not encourage the community to smoke. What was important was to educate the community about the dangers of smoking.
“We also acknowledge that I smoking is indeed not good for health.”
