In a statement, the Malaysian Green Lung Association said the postponement would give the tobacco and vape industries the opportunity to further their own agenda and influence regulation.

“This is worrying and we urge the PSC to ensure that it is free from any interference by the industries who have their own agenda in ensuring their businesses are not affected,” said its president Ho Rhu Yann.

Ho added that the arguments by some MPs that the bill infringed on constitutional rights had no basis as smoking not only affected the health of smokers but also those around them.

The association called for all MPs to declare any direct or indirect interest in the tobacco and vape industries.

Ho also said the bill must be tabled and passed in the next Parliament sitting in October to avoid any further delay.

Meanwhile, the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) described the decision to refer the bill to the PSC as “regrettable”.

“The postponement of the bill shows that the MPs do not care about public opinion, the majority of which wants the bill passed immediately,” said CAP education officer NV Subbarow in a statement.

He said it is the responsibility of every policymaker to protect the rights of consumers, the majority of which are non-smokers.

“To all MPs, the people can see who is sincere and who isn’t (in the fight against smoking),” he warned.

Yesterday, the Dewan Rakyat agreed for the bill to be referred to a PSC. Health minister Khairy Jamaluddin had tabled the bill for its second reading and debate the previous day.

Khairy said he agreed to refer the bill to the PSC to ensure that a comprehensive law was passed.

The bill, dubbed the Generational End Game (GEG) bill, seeks to ban the use, possession and sale of cigarettes and vape products to those born after 2007.