Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said this is to address concerns over the omission of the generational endgame (GEG) provisions in the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023.

He said a 2020 study in the US found that those who started smoking before the age of 20 were more likely to become persistent smokers.

“Therefore, early intervention is important,” he told the Dewan Negara, adding that collaboration with other agencies and organisations is crucial for the advocacy plan to be effective.

Dzulkefly maintained that the tobacco bill is “exceptionally comprehensive” despite the GEG components being dropped, saying all types of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and vapes, were covered under the proposed law.

Yesterday, the minister apologised to the Senate for the absence of the GEG provisions in the bill, acknowledging concerns raised over its exclusion.

These provisions were intended to ban the sale of tobacco and vape products to individuals born after 2007.