Galen Center urges Malaysian government to pass tobacco control bill

On November 28th, the Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy in Kuala Lumpur called on the government of Anwar Ibrahim to propose and pass the controversial tobacco control bill within the first 100 days of his tenure.

Azrul Mohd Khalib, CEO of Galen Center, has revealed that significant progress has been made on the proposed Control of Tobacco Product and Smoking Bill 2022 after undergoing several revisions suggested by the bipartisan committee of the 14th Parliament's Dewan Rakyat. The Bill proposes a ban on smoking and e-cigarette use for those born in or after 2007, also known as an intergenerational ban.

Azrul, speaking on the radio program "Health and Life: Doctors at Home" last Friday, told BFM host Tee Shiao Eek, "This is an obvious outcome because it clearly shows how different parties from different viewpoints and ideologies can collaborate to develop a multiparty bill - not even just a two-party bill - and then pass it through a vote. This has already been laid out on the table, the work has been completed.

This was an easy victory. In fact, you can submit it to parliament and vote on it at the next meeting. This is a clear example of how we can come together, work collaboratively, and create something beneficial.

In other proposed amendments, the Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC) led by then-Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin agreed to lift the ban on tobacco or electronic cigarette products for those born after January 1, 2007, but decided to maintain the ban on smoking or using e-cigarettes and purchasing such products for this group.

The 14th Parliament's PSSC has also agreed to reduce the maximum fine for GEG violators from 5,000 Malaysian Ringgit (approximately 7,923 dollars) to 500 Malaysian Ringgit (approximately 792 dollars), and may potentially offer community service.

Prior to the dissolution of parliament last month, Khairy, who was then serving in the government of Ismail Sabri Yaakob, failed to bring the tobacco bill to a second reading and debate. This was due to serious concerns raised by several Pakatan Harapan (PH) lawmakers and human rights advocates over the broad enforcement powers, economic impact, and infringement on personal liberties inherent in the bill.

Prime Minister Anwar's coalition government now holds a two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat, with the addition of the Sabah branch of the United Malays National Organization (UMNO) to the coalition made up of the National Front (BN) and the Sarawak United People's Party (GPS) led by the People's Justice Party (PH).

Azrul further urges the next Health Minister to submit a Health White Paper to Parliament or release a document outlining reforms to the healthcare system for the next 15 years.

Khairy previously established a 13-member advisory committee for the "Health White Paper," co-chaired by former Health Minister Dr. S. Subramaniam and Axiata Group Chairman Shahril Ridza Ridzuan. However, there was no formation of a Health Reform Committee to oversee the implementation of recommendations outlined in the yet-to-be-released "Health White Paper.

According to Azrul, "We have put in a lot of effort, work, and contributions in considering the introduction of healthcare reform into the Malaysian healthcare system, which is stated in the white paper. Many individuals have contributed with their forward-thinking and aspirations, and most importantly, they witness the change that is needed, even earlier than the previous health minister, going back 20 years. We hope that the next minister, whoever she or he may be, will take out the white paper, present it to parliament or publicize it, so we can use the recommendations in it. It is meaningless that nobody has seen or referenced the document in this article, as it has not been made public.

In his manifesto for the 15th election, PH pledged to establish a Health Committee to oversee the implementation of the national healthcare reform plan in conjunction with the Ministry of Economic Planning, Finance, Health, and Education. The aim is to address systemic issues such as healthcare financing, decentralization of power, and the public-private partnership.

Azrul urges the PH-led coalition government not to reinvent the wheel in healthcare reform. He stated, "The proposals put forth by Kairi during his tenure stem from years of experience from those who have worked in the department. What is important for us is to recognize that regardless of who initiated these ideas in the past, we should be able to examine them and give them the attention and value they deserve. We need to do this now. If we start from scratch, we will be wasting time." Azrul suggests that the next Health Minister's first 100 days in office should focus on low-hanging fruit initiatives.

Finally, he said, "It's important to talk to people and listen to their voices. When taking office, you may have your own ideas, but I, honestly, will talk to people from the Ministry of Health, as well as other departments, and most importantly, talk to patients and patient groups. They can tell you what can be done during this time and what can be achieved.