THE Dewan Rakyat passed the Control of Smoking Products and Public Health 2023 Bill via voice vote today.

The bill tabled by Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa includes the provision prohibiting the sale and purchase of tobacco products, smoking materials or tobacco substitute products and providing any services related to smoking to minors.

It also saw the removal of the generational endgame provision prohibiting the sale of tobacco products and cigarettes, as well as banning individuals born on January 1, 2007 onwards, from smoking.

Tabled for the first reading on Tuesday and the second reading yesterday, the bill containing 54 clauses was debated by 27 MPs.

Zaliha expressed her appreciation to former health ministers – Dr S. Subramaniam, Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, Dr Adham Baba and Khairy Jamaluddin – for their efforts in tackling the smoking issue and developing the bill.

“Thank you for your dedicated efforts in addressing the smoking issue in general and specifically in developing the bill that we (Dewan Rakyat) have passed today,” she said.

Dewan Rakyat also passed the Food (Amendment) 2023 Bill to amend the Food Act 1983, in line with the approval of the Control of Smoking Products and Public Health 2023 Bill. – Bernama, November 30, 2023.