According to a report by the Malaysian media in Klang on January 24, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Li bluntly stated that since he is not a religious minister, he cannot make a decision to ban smoking nationwide. He emphasized that as the Minister of Health, he has the responsibility to ensure that smokers and smoking behavior do not harm non-smoking groups, because smoking is harmful to health.
Zulkifli also serves as the strategic director of the Amanah Party. At the 2023 National Congress of the Amanah Party, he responded to the "Public Health Tobacco Products Control Bill 2023" proposed by the representatives. He once again apologized to party representatives for failing to include the "Gen Excluded from Smoking" (GEG) policy into the bill.
On the 30th of last month, the "Public Health Tobacco Products Control Bill 2023" passed the third reading in the House of Commons by a voice vote. However, it is worth noting that this bill removes the original GEG policy, which prohibits people born after 2007 from smoking and possessing tobacco products, and instead prohibits people under the age of 18 from purchasing tobacco products, tobacco substitutes, and smoking equipment. .
