KUALA LUMPUR: The government spent RM6.2 billion to treat three major smoking-related diseases in 2020 - twice more than the RM3 billion revenue generated from tobacco sales.
The three major smoking-related diseases were lung cancer, heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the tobacco generational endgame (GEG) bill could reduce the treatment costs and save two million lives.
"Do the maths. The country is suffering a great loss," he said, while presenting the figures through a short video on Twitter.
Khairy said consumption of non-tobacco products also lead to serious health consequences, such as the e-cigarette or vaping use-associated lung injury (EVALI).
A patient with EVALI, he said, spends more than RM150,000 for 12 days of treatment in hospital.
"The GEG would allow the vape and e-cigarette industry to be regulated. And, we can make sure the vape liquids being sold are controlled properly and tested in labs so you don't get sick.
"Even the vape industry players are supporting this bill because they want the industry to be regulated. We can also tax vape sales.
"Tax revenues from vape sales are estimated to reach RM500 million annually.
"Do the right for the people and the country. Tell your MPs to support the bill," he said.
Khairy tabled the GEG, otherwise known as the Tobacco and Smoking Control Bill, for the first reading at Dewan Rakyat earlier today. The second and third reading of the bill is also expected to take place during the current sitting.
The bill, among others, seeks to ban smoking and prohibit the ownership of tobacco and vape products by those born after 2007.
Malaysia is the second country in the world to do so after New Zealand tabled a similar bill for first reading on Tuesday.
The bill received a near-universal cross-party support from the New Zealand parliament and will now be reviewed by the Health Select Committee.