Malaysian Minister Of Health: No Authority To Ban Smoking Nationwide, But Responsibility To Protect Non-smoking Groups

According to Malaysia's Klang media on January 24th, Health Minister Datuk Serizukifiri stated that he is unable to make a national smoking ban resolution as he is not a religious minister. He emphasized that as the Minister of Health, he has a responsibility to ensure that smokers and smoking behavior do not harm non-smoking groups, as smoking is harmful to health.
Zujifiri also serves as the Strategy Director of the Integrity Party. At the 2023 National Congress of the Integrity Party, he responded to the proposal of the 2023 Public Health Tobacco Product Control Act by representatives. He once again apologized to party representatives for not incorporating the Gen Excluded from Smoking (GEG) policy into the bill.
On the 30th of last month, the 2023 Public Health Tobacco Product Control Act was passed through a third reading vote in the House of Commons. However, it is worth noting that this bill repeals the original GEG policy, which prohibited smoking and possession of tobacco products by groups born after 2007, and instead prohibits individuals under the age of 18 from purchasing tobacco products, tobacco substitutes, and smoking equipment.