Ex-minister Khairy slams MP’s opposition to anti-smoking policy

Former Malaysian minister Khairy Jamaluddin has criticised Sungai Buloh MP R. Ramanan for opposing the government’s generational end game (GEG) policy, aimed at reducing smoking among future Malaysians. Khairy, who championed the Tobacco Products and Smoking Control Bill 2022 and the GEG policy during his tenure as health minister, shared his disapproval of Ramanan’s stance on his Instagram story.

Ramanan recently expressed his disagreement with the GEG policy at a news conference in Parliament. He argued that 18-year-old Malaysians are now able to vote, but are not being allowed to make decisions about their own health. Ramanan also insisted that the policy required further research before implementation, and pointed out that other countries had not introduced such legislation.

In addition, Ramanan claimed that the policy would lead to job losses and the closure of many shops, particularly those in the vape industry. The Bill, which aims to ban the use, possession, and sale of cigarettes and vape products to those born after 2007, was introduced by Khairy last year.

The Health Ministry has announced that it will re-table the Control of Tobacco Product and Smoking Bill on June 12 for its first reading in Parliament.