CodeBlue, a non-profit health organization in Malaysia, is urging lawmakers to vote in support of the "Tobacco and Smoking Control Bill," which would prohibit individuals born after 2005 from purchasing and using cigarettes. Here is the full statement.
The crucial "Tobacco and Smoking Control Act" will be submitted to Parliament this week, which will have an impact on the health and social welfare of our future generations. It is crucial that all members of Parliament fully understand these issues and support this important legislation.
It is important to note that this bill does not restrict smoking among adults, but rather aims to prohibit the sale and use of cigarettes and e-cigarette products to all children born after 2005 (those who will turn 18 in 2023).
Smoking is a rapidly growing epidemic among our children. The 2019 national health and disease rate survey provides us with national data on adolescent smoking behavior. The data is alarming for children aged 15 to 19, as it shows a significant increase in smoking rates.
At present, there are 303,800 smokers, accounting for 11.6% of the population.
A total of 196,000 individuals, which is equivalent to 7.5% of the population, are currently using e-cigarettes.
15.6% of teenagers aged 15 to 19 are currently using tobacco products.
It is anticipated that since the investigation, there has been a significant increase in the number of adolescents who have started using electronic cigarettes in recent years. As pediatricians, we are aware that many young children are drawn to using electronic cigarette products due to their appealing flavors and stylish devices, as well as the desire to appear "cool".
Teenagers smoking electronic cigarettes and becoming addicted can be seen throughout the country. It is widely recognized that most smokers develop their habit in their teens, and smoking e-cigarettes only makes it easier to develop addiction.
Worrying statistics have emerged from the Malaysian National Tobacco and E-cigarette Survey among Youth (TECMA), which shows that 9.1% of Malaysian youths aged 10 to 19 currently use e-cigarettes, with at least 600,000 children included in this group. Among these children, half started using e-cigarettes before the age of 14.
Smoking addiction is extremely difficult to overcome. Some users will gradually turn to more addictive and harmful drugs.
We urge our congressional representatives to consider the health and well-being of all of our children. Please vote in favor of the Tobacco Control Act. The impact of eliminating a major source of social ills and reducing the long-term health problems and death tolls cannot be overstated.
Voting in favor of this bill is a vote in support of investing in the current and future health and well-being of our children.
Voting in favor of the bill represents a vote of hope for all families whose children are no longer addicted to drugs or e-cigarettes.
Voting in favor of the bill is a vote in support of our healthcare system to alleviate the burden of major illnesses.
Dr. Amar-Singh HSS is a pediatric consultant.
Dr. Selva Kumar is a pediatric consultant and the president of the Malaysian Pediatric Association (MPA).
Dr. Musa Mohd Nordin, pediatric consultant.
Dr. Zulkifli Ismail, Pediatric Consultant.
Dr. Thiyagar Nadarajaw is a pediatric consultant and vice president of the Malaysian Adolescent Health Association (MAAH).
Please provide context and the original text to be translated.
Disclaimer
This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.
Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.
The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.
This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.
Copyright Notice
This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.
No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.
For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.
AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice
Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.
Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.
