THE Health Ministry (MOH) has assured the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023 would be tabled during the current Dewan Rakyat session ending November 30.

Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said this was to close the loophole of excluding nicotine gel from the list of poisons under the Poisons Act 1952.

“This bill has to be tabled immediately to ensure there is comprehensive regulation of smoking products, which have been scientifically proven to be harmful to health,” she said in a statement today.

Zaliha said the MOH would table amendments to the proposed bill on Friday, taking into account views presented by the attorney-general, before the cabinet.

The Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023 aims to regulate the sale and purchase of tobacco products, smoking materials, tobacco substitute products and smoking devices, for public health and to give rise to a smoke-free generation. – Bernama, November 22, 2023.