Act 852 is result of public health evidence, global best practices, efforts to safeguard citizens from nicotine addiction: NGO
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Council for Tobacco Control has sounded the alarm over recent allegations of bribery linked to efforts to weaken the country’s tobacco control policies, warning that such claims must not be used to “derail or discredit the implementation of effective public health laws”.
It said any allegations should be investigated through proper legal channels, stressing that they must not be exploited to obstruct the enforcement of Malaysia’s tobacco control measures.
Its president Prof Dr Murallitharan Munisamy said the nation must not allow allegations, pressure or intimidation to distract it from the core mission of protecting public health through strong and enforceable laws.
“The country must remain focused on safeguarding public health, particularly through the effective implementation of tobacco control legislation.”
He highlighted that the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) is Malaysia’s first standalone, comprehensive tobacco control law, encompassing tobacco, vaping and all nicotine products under a single legal framework.
“Act 852 did not emerge overnight. It is the result of public health evidence, global best practices and Malaysia’s obligation to safeguard its people, especially children, from nicotine addiction.”
He said the Act reflects decades of evidence-based policy development and Malaysia’s commitments under the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC).
The council said all stakeholders must remain committed to ensuring the Act’s success, despite what it described as “continued pressure” from industry players and “certain interest groups seeking to dilute its impact”.
Murallitharan stressed that effective tobacco control depends on consistent and equitable enforcement nationwide, warning that weak or selective implementation risks undermining public confidence and rendering the law ineffective.
“Implementation must be uniform. Tobacco and nicotine products do not harm people selectively, and enforcement cannot be selective either.”
He cautioned that tobacco control efforts in Malaysia still have “unfinished business”, pointing to previous regulations that allowed exemptions and grey areas, particularly in designated non-smoking zones.
“These gaps must be addressed decisively to protect the public from exposure to tobacco smoke, reduce smoking prevalence in line with endgame targets and prevent the normalisation of smoking among children in public spaces.”
He noted that compliance remains weak in public walkways, city centres and high-density urban areas, including Kuala Lumpur, where exposure to secondhand smoke persists.
To shield public policy from industry interference, the council proposed a formal code of conduct governing government interactions with the tobacco and nicotine industry, in line with Article 5.3 of the WHO FCTC, continuous benchmarking against international standards and a review of minimum sales prices for all nicotine products.
“Tax policy alone is insufficient if products remain affordable. Price and access must be addressed together,” said Murallitharan.
