A MOTHER called me a few weeks ago asking for help for her son to quit vaping. It is one of many calls I get as a worker in the National Cancer Society Malaysia quit smoking and vaping clinic, in the aftermath of the missed opportunity to pass the tobacco generational endgame (GEG) bill. 

The decoupling of the GEG bill from the anti-tobacco law marked a significant shift in tobacco control. Intended to ban the sale of cigarettes and vaping products to those born on or after January 1, 2007, the GEG law was poised to be a game-changer in the fight against smoking and vaping-related illnesses. 

We are now left with only the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023 to restrict the sale of tobacco products to minors. While this is a step in the right direction, it falls short of the comprehensive approach of the GEG bill.

Vapes have been shown to bring complications such as e-cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury, which leads to respiratory failure, hypoxic brain injury and some requiring home oxygenation. Smoking can lead to complications such as stroke, heart attack, peripheral artery disease and, worst of all, it increases the risk of lung cancer by 15-30 times. The growing trend of smoking and vaping not only threatens individual health but also burdens the healthcare system

It is crucial to reinstate the GEG to address the growing epidemic of smoking and vaping. By banning the sale of cigarettes and vaping products to those born after January 1, 2007, we can effectively prevent a new generation from becoming addicted to nicotine. Moreover, the economic argument in favour of the GEG bill is compelling – it is far cheaper to implement preventive measures than to bear the long-term costs of treating smoking-related diseases. 

We need strong political will to table the GEG bill again and ensure its passage into law. This requires collaboration across party lines and a commitment to put the wellbeing of our citizens first.

The GEG bill offers a comprehensive solution to the scourge of smoking and vaping in Malaysia. By prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to future generations, we can mitigate the health risks associated with nicotine addiction and save lives. – May 31, 2024.

* The National Cancer Society of Malaysia is a not-for-profit organisation that provides education, care and support services for people affected by cancer.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.