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Parliament Passes Anti-Smoking Bill

Nov 30, 2023

The Dewan Rakyat has passed the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill. 

The proposed law, among other things, will ban the sale and purchase of tobacco products to those below 18. 

This, following the removal of the Generational Endgame provision, which sought to permanently ban smoking and vaping among those born after 2007. 

However, Health Minister Dr Zaliha Musapha has NOT ruled out reintroducing the provision in the future.. 

She adds that the ministry will also step up its advocacy programmes to discouraging the smoking especially among youths. 
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The Economy Minister says the government's Progressive Wage Policy will start in June next year, with a pilot project that involves 1,000 companies. 

Rafizi Ramli also defended the decision to make the policy voluntary.  

He says a mandatory policy would be too much of a burden for the local economy as 97% of businesses are micro, small or medium-sized companies.