Malaysian Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said he hopes the bill, which would ban smoking and vaping for those born after 2007, will win the support of lawmakers when it is tabled at the next Parliament session in October, reports The Straits Times.
The bill, dubbed a ‘generational endgame’, was referred to a parliamentary select committee in August for further consideration because some of the proposals would restrict personal freedom. The proposals related to manufacturing, distribution and storage have been amended, Mr Khairy said in a group interview. “Those powers are restricted only to enforcement for distribution, manufacturing, and supply, and not related to smoking offences,” he said. “We have clarified that in the latest amendment. So, if you contravene the law, they cannot frisk you or take away your phone. We have a meeting next week with the committee and I hope to get it through.”
Malaysian lawmakers last month postponed a vote on the bill and referred it to a select committee to review it and suggest improvements. The bill also bans those born after 2007 from buying, possessing or using tobacco and other related products, even if they are 18 years old.