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Form RCI to probe deputy minister’s claims tobacco, vape lobby influenced GEG removal: consumer group | Scoop
In a parliamentary reply last week, Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni said pressure from the tobacco and vape industry influenced the decision on the inclusion of the Generational End Game (GEG) provisions in the recent anti-smoking law. – Alif Omar/Scoop pic, March 20, 2024
News

Form RCI to probe deputy minister’s claims tobacco, vape lobby influenced GEG removal: consumer group

They say inquiry will help uncover extent of ‘infiltration and influence’ by lobbyists on lawmakers

Scoop Reporters
Updated
9:59 AM MYT

 

KUALA LUMPUR – A consumer group wants a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) established to look into the deputy health minister’s recent claims that tobacco and vape industry players lobbied MPs against the Generational End Game (GEG) provisions in the anti-smoking law.

The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) said a RCI must look into why Malaysian lawmakers had allowed the industry to influence laws, following the admission by Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni in the Dewan Rakyat on March 14.

“We are grateful that (he) admitted the tobacco and vape industry players had met with MPs in the parliament itself to lobby for the exclusion of GEG.

“He has finally confirmed this incident that has been in the grapevine since October 2023.

“It is an absolute shame and a subversion of the legislative process,” CAP president Mohideen Abdul Kader said in a statement.

A RCI, he added, will help uncover the extent of “infiltration and influence” by lobbyists on lawmakers.

Lukanisman had revealed the matter when replying to Dr Halimah Ali (Kapar-PN) in the Dewan Rakyat last week. The opposition lawmaker had asked the Health Ministry about possible lobbying from tobacco and vape industry players.

In his response, Lukanisman referred to the government’s experience when tabling the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023, which initially had GEG provisions to ban smoking and vaping for those born after 2007.

The provisions were subsequently removed and the bill was passed by the lower house on November 30, and later passed by the senate on December 14.

In his response, Lukanisman said there had been conflicting views on the GEG components, admitting “pressure from the industry, with industry (members) entering Parliament and meeting with MPs. This influenced that decision”.

Mohideen today said tobacco and vape industry players had violated Article 5.3 of the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention for Tobacco Control, which calls for the protection of public health policies on tobacco control from “commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry”.

He noted that Malaysia ratified the convention in 2005.

He also called for Parliament to amend the act that had been passed to reinstate GEG components. – March 20, 2024

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