The Ministry of Health (MOH) recently made the decision to drop the generational endgame (GEG) bill, which bans Malaysians born in the year 2007 onwards from buying or consuming nicotine products, from the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023.
While many saw this as a huge setback towards Malaysia’s goal of public health, there is another change of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023 that is also gaining attention online.
Subang Jaya MP Wong Chen took to his Twitter account to share his thoughts on the changes, which includes an alleged reduction to the fine for those who smoke in non-smoking areas.
He wrote, “I am still in Parliament. MPs are debating the new tobacco bill. The GEG has been removed, vape regulations are included but no regulations on the vape pen. There is also an illogical reduction of fine for smoking in a non-smoking area.”
“This is a bill that does its work to regulate smoking and vaping, but falls short on many fronts.”
I am still in Parliament.
MPs are debating the new tobacco bill. The GEG has been removed, vape regulations are included but no regulations on the vape pen. There is also an illogical reduction of fine for smoking in a non-smoking area. pic.twitter.com/fztqY9daEy
— Wong Chen (@WongChen_MY) November 29, 2023
Back in 2019, the ban of smoking at eateries came into effect and yet, enforcement has been lax to a point where many Malaysians are still openly smoking at restaurants without facing the consequences of the law.
With that being said, this begs an important question, why reduce the fine?
Many have since shared their disappointment over this move.
“Reduction? What is this??”
We genuinely hope that the authorities will either reconsider the reduction of the fine or at least increase enforcement to prevent people from smoking at eateries by actually handing out the reduced fine.
What do you think about this? Do feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.
Also read: M’sian Left Disappointed After Spotting Young Boy Openly Vaping at Mamak Like It’s a Norm
