Tobacco Control Act to be submitted to AGC end of month

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7  (Bernama) -- The Tobacco Control Act which is being drafted by the Ministry of Health will be submitted to the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) by the end of this month for fine-tuning before its is tabled to the Cabinet early next year.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the new law, which will be more holistic and comprehensive, would also cover electronic cigarettes, vape and shisha.

“We are taking this matter seriously…but the issue on control (of the products) does not come wholly under the Health Ministry, it is under the jurisdiction of the Customs Department,” he told reporters after opening the 17th Urological Association of Asia Congress 2019 here today.

He was commenting on a statement by Japan Tobacco International Bhd on the  growth rate of the illegal vaping market in Malaysia, causing the government to lose about RM6 billion annually in tax revenue.

-- BERNAMA