KUALA LUMPUR: The Control of Smoking Product for Public Health Bill 2023, which includes the generational end game (GEG) smoking ban provision, will be tabled in Parliament on June 12.
Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the "improved" bill was drafted following numerous engagement sessions with stakeholders, including tobacco industry players.
"We will table the bill for its first reading in Parliament on June 12.
"I will be meeting with the parliamentary secretary and the Dewan Rakyat Speaker (on the date for the second reading) and we will see how we can go from there," she said in a media briefing on the bill in Parliament today.
She described the new bill as being "more comprehensive" and covered not just conventional smoking products but also "next generation" smoking products, including electronic and combustible cigarette products.
"This bill retains the GEG provision, affecting those born on Jan 1, 2007 onwards.
"We will be implementing this law in phases," she said.
After the bill is passed, those under the GEG would be prohibited from all types of conventional cigarettes, cigars, loose tobacco and rolled cigarettes.
Cigarettes with heating devices, however, will only be fully banned after sufficient education and awareness campaigns by the ministry.
"This is our soft-landing approach to educate the GEG cohort instead of being punitive.
"For now, we are suggesting that the law be fully implemented (to include all types of smoking products including electronic cigarettes) in 2030, after conducting further research and studies.
"We think this is a win-win solution. The government is committed to the implementation of the GEG," she added.
The 2023 version of the bill incorporates amendments suggested by the Parliamentary Special Committee (PSSC) last year, including a reduction in the maximum fine for GEG offenders from RM5,000 to RM500, and introduces a provision for community service as a way to educate and raise awareness.
Under the bill, the GEG group will not be allowed to sell, buy and use smoking products.
It also incorporates the PSSC's recommendation for the removal of the offence of personal possession of tobacco or vape products by the GEG group.
This also removes the need for body search by law enforcement authorities.
The new bill will also limit the authorities' enforcement powers to manufacturing, packaging, storage, delivery, distribution or sale of tobacco products.
The first version of the bill, then named "The Control of Tobacco Product and Smoking Bill 2022", was first tabled in Parliament in July last year.
It has been reported that cigarette smoking will cost the government RM8 billion for the treatment of lung cancer, heart problems and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by 2030.