KUALA LUMPUR (April 4): Putrajaya is committed to table the Control Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023 in the Dewan Rakyat next month, according to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“Initially, the government planned to table the Bill earlier, but unable to do so, because we want to harmonise this Bill with the tax on vape and e-cigarettes, “Anwar told the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (April 4).
However, there were many objections and negative reactions from the members of the parliaments (MPs), as they wanted the government to relook certain provisions of the bill, said the prime minister.
“We suggest that the Ministry of Health carefully renegotiate with MPs and all health bodies for the purposes of [the Bill] implementation,” said Anwar.
Meanwhile, the Customs Department will continue to control the distribution of vape liquids containing nicotine, said Anwar, while assuring that the Smoking Bill will be tabled in the next parliamentary sitting in May.
Anwar was responding to a question posed by Kuala Langat MP Datuk Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi, about the justification for the government’s action in the removal of liquid and gel nicotine products used in e-cigarettes from the Poisons Act 1952. Bandar Kuching MP Kelvin Yii also asked him on the timeline to table the Smoking Bill to regulate vape products.
"[The Smoking Bill] is not intended to be delayed. But [negotiations] are necessary so that there is an understanding on some provisions, especially on the implementation, which is considered too harsh. It is appropriate to give room to the MPs to discuss [on this matter],” Anwar said during the minister’s question time.
Over the weekend, Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the ministry will introduce a new bill in May to regulate all nicotine-containing smoking products to ensure regulation of nicotine liquids and gels used in e-cigarettes and vape products.
This follows the government gazetting an excise duty of 40 sen per millilitre on e-cigarettes and vape products containing nicotine in liquid or gel forms last Friday (March 31).
Half of tax proceeds from vape products to be channelled to MOH
On the other hand, Anwar said, half of the tax proceeds collected from the vaping industry, which is estimated to be worth over RM2 billion, will be channelled to the MOH.
“So far, the government has decided that the proceeds from these e-cigarettes and vape products will be returned to the MOH, [in an effort] to assist health recovery,” Anwar said in response to a supplementary question by Bandar Kuching MP Kelvin Yii, who asked about the distribution of the tax collection.
Anwar in its Budget 2023 announcement in February said half of the tax revenue collection will be redirected back to the MOH to improve the quality services and fund effective “No Smoking” campaigns.
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