00:00A think tank has criticized former Health Minister Dr. Zaliha Mustafa for removing liquid
00:08nicotine from the poisons list, leading to the widespread availability of high nicotine
00:14vapes, particularly among minors.
00:17The Galen Center for Health and Social Policy stated that this decision has increased the
00:22urgency for the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024, which is still
00:28not enforced.
00:30Azrul Khalid, CEO of the Galen Center, said the fact that nicotine used in vape and e-cigarettes
00:36is no longer restricted under the Poisons Act has likely led to a massive spike in new
00:41users of nicotine vape.
00:44Azrul called for greater transparency and accountability in regards to the implementation
00:49of Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024, which seeks to ban the sale
00:54and purchase of tobacco products, smoking materials, and tobacco substitutes to minors.
01:00On Saturday, Health Minister Zulkifli Ahmad said he expects the law to be enforced by
01:05October after the Attorney General's Chambers has approved the regulations and orders made
01:11under the Parent Act.
01:13Meanwhile, Malaysian Pharmacist Society President Amrahi Buang also criticized the delay, warning
01:19it could erode public trust in the government.
01:22Amrahi also said he is pessimistic about Putrajaya's ability to meet its October target, attributing
01:28the prolonged delay to the back-and-forth between the ministry and the AGC.
Comments