“Yes, we are clear with our decision to introduce (the bill in May),” he told the Dewan Rakyat today.

“I would like to apologise for the delay (in tabling the bill) because many MPs have asked for some provisions to be reviewed.”

He was responding to Dr Kelvin Yii (PH-Bandar Kuching), who asked Anwar to give a firm commitment to the lower house that the bill will be tabled next month.

Last Saturday, health minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa was reported as saying the bill would be tabled next month.

The bill regulates all smoking products, including smoking materials containing nicotine, “to ensure comprehensive control over nicotine preparations or gels containing nicotine in e-cigarettes or vapes”.

Anwar’s statement in the lower house today comes amid controversy over the removal of vape liquids and gels from the poisons list, clearing the way for over-the-counter sales. An excise duty of 40 sen per millilitre was imposed from April 1.

Zaliha came under criticism after she was alleged to have used her ministerial powers to overrule the Poisons Board, which had unanimously voted against exempting nicotine liquids and gels from the Poisons Act.

When asked by Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi (PN-Kuala Langat) about the exemption, Anwar justified it by saying that taxing vape products would help in curbing the widespread usage of the products among the public as they are sold at cheaper prices.

Anwar said while he understood the opposition to the exemption by medical bodies and civil society groups, he said the government wanted to adopt a moderate approach by taxing vape products as banning them would be too drastic of a measure.

“(Plus) many continue to smoke despite the campaigns that we (government) have organised,” said Anwar.

“That is why we are taking a moderate approach by taxing (these products) but (remaining) firm on prohibiting (vaping and smoking) in places such as Parliament and schools.

“We will also impose widespread restrictions to deny access to these devices among the youth.”