CYBERJAYA, May 31 — The Health Ministry (MOH) remains steadfast in its mission to realise a "Malaysia Bebas Rokok" (Smoke-Free Malaysia) by 2040, said Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
He said this vision is achievable through a shared commitment and firm adherence to policies grounded in the public interest.
"As we look ahead, the MOH remains steadfast in its mission to realise 'Malaysia Bebas Rokok' by 2040. 15 years down the road, are we able to do it? It's a bold mantra, a bold vision," he said in his officiating speech at the National Tobacco Control Conference 2025, here today.
The event was held in conjunction with World No Tobacco Day with the theme Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Smoking Products.
Dr Dzulkefly said the public is not only confronting harmful products but also a billion-dollar industry that has rebranded addiction through sleek devices, sweet flavours, and seductive marketing aimed squarely at the promising youth.
Highlighting Malaysia’s international recognition, Dr Dzulkefly said the World Health Organisation (WHO) recently adopted Malaysia’s Lung Health Resolution during the 78th World Health Assembly.
He said this historic move marked the first-ever global resolution to place lung health at the centre of the world’s public health agenda.
Dr Dzulkefly stressed that while policy enforcement is key, it must be complemented with health promotion and community engagement.
He said the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852), which has been in effect since October 1, 2024, restricts the marketing and sale of tobacco and vape products, especially to youth.
Citing the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS), Dr Dzulkefly noted that smoking prevalence among adults declined from 22.4 percent in 2019 to 19.8 percent in 2023.
"But as we push one epidemic back, another rises in its place. Vape usage has unfortunately crept up from 4.9 per cent to 5.1 per cent, especially among adolescents.
"The NHMS 2022 revealed something even more alarming — 60,000 teens are current drug users and over 100,000 have experimented with illegal substances like kratom and methamphetamine," he said.
Dr Dzulkefly said as part of a comprehensive prevention and intervention efforts, MOH has launched several strategic initiatives, including the Kotak (Oral Health Without Smoking) programme and school counsellor training, to strengthen youth prevention.
Other initiatives include strategic partnerships with the National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM), the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), the Malaysian Drug Prevention Association (Pemadam), corporate partners such as Maybank, Kenvue, Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca, as well as collaboration with the National Poison Centre (USM).
At the event, the official mascot of Malaysia’s Lung Health Initiative, named Pak Lung, was also unveiled. It represents courage, unity and collective fight to defend the lungs and lives of future generations.
— Bernama
