Majority of cancer, heart, lung patients from poor families, says KJ
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin
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Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said it was due to tobacco.
"The B40 group is the target market of tobacco companies," he told reporters after the launch of the KKMNOW Portal, here, today.
He said the Tobacco Product and Smoking Bill 2022 which would be implemented in 2025 will protect the lower-income group.
"It does not make sense (on the government wanting to add to their burdens), we want to protect the B40 group from these murderous companies," he said.
The Tobacco Product and Smoking Bill 2022 or commonly known as Generational End Game (GEG) as those born in 2007 and onwards will not be allowed to buy cigarettes.
The Bill as so far gone through a discussion process within a a special committee composed of members of all main political parties," he said.
He said all committee members agreed with the amendment of the bill through a statement that was tabled in Parliament.
"The statement agreed with the amendment made for it to be clear and show no use of excessive force," he said.
Khairy said the claims stating that the Bill would criminalise children was to confuse the people.
"Existing law states that if a child is caught buying cigarettes, authorities could release a compound of RM50 to them," he said.
Khairy said the bill and GEG only issues compound for individuals involved and it would not be registered as a criminal offence.
