I AM grateful that Datuk Dr Lokman Hakim took time to clarify the issue of tobacco, inter alia, vape use, throwing new light as to where the lack of "political will" is.
We duly acknowledge his professional stance and commitment on the issue, but express deep regret that the Cabinet failed to be convinced as to the seriousness of the matter, which is literally a case of life-and-death.
Given the circumstances, it is clear that the Cabinet, and by implications politicians on both sides of the divide, are indeed answerable for the thousands of premature deaths annually associated with tobacco, nicotine-tainted vape in particular, where regulations fail to protect the health of the rakyat.
Arising from the response, there are several other issues that question the "efficacy" of the ministry on asserting its roles.
(a) How is the ministry expected to "educate" the public on the issue when it is not able to do so to a very small group of Cabinet ministers? More so, when the health minister chooses to weigh in with his Cabinet colleagues, rather than to stand firm on the side of the "Expert Committee" in asserting the issue publicly?
(b) In pursuant to (a), why are the sales of vape solutions containing nicotine be regulated under Poison Act 1952, while other tobacco products (especially cigarettes), which also contained nicotine are allowed to be sold everywhere, although the latter are proven killers?
(c) What can the so-called "non-health issues" related to vaping be, that the Cabinet allegedly raised that have greater impact than (ill-)health behaviours which ultimately will cause more deaths, let alone addiction due to nicotine, pushing the users to abuse hard drugs (which is already an intractable problem nationally)?
(d) In this respect, although not mentioned in Datuk Lokman's response, how is it that "daun ketum" is successfully legislated as a "dangerous drug" (presumably with the Cabinet's approval) but the same Cabinet failed to appreciate the proven deadly effects of "daun tembakau"?
Not too long ago, the prime minister admitted that "the days the government knows best is over." Apparently, not when it comes to public policy in the current issues of nicotine-tainted vape where even expert opinions of public health professionals in the government sector are set aside.
When the lives of millions of innocent Malaysians are unequivocally at stake, the people must insist that the interest of the rakyat precedes all vested interests, including narrow political ones. As a health professional, I am reminded of the oath: First, do no harm. There are no two ways about it.
Politicians must be educated and reminded to respect this solemn oath too – that health of the people comes first at all cost. We urged that the Cabinet takes the professional advice of the Health Ministry more seriously in banning tobacco and vape use.
Professor Tan Sri Dzulkifli Abdul Razak
We duly acknowledge his professional stance and commitment on the issue, but express deep regret that the Cabinet failed to be convinced as to the seriousness of the matter, which is literally a case of life-and-death.
Given the circumstances, it is clear that the Cabinet, and by implications politicians on both sides of the divide, are indeed answerable for the thousands of premature deaths annually associated with tobacco, nicotine-tainted vape in particular, where regulations fail to protect the health of the rakyat.
Arising from the response, there are several other issues that question the "efficacy" of the ministry on asserting its roles.
(a) How is the ministry expected to "educate" the public on the issue when it is not able to do so to a very small group of Cabinet ministers? More so, when the health minister chooses to weigh in with his Cabinet colleagues, rather than to stand firm on the side of the "Expert Committee" in asserting the issue publicly?
(b) In pursuant to (a), why are the sales of vape solutions containing nicotine be regulated under Poison Act 1952, while other tobacco products (especially cigarettes), which also contained nicotine are allowed to be sold everywhere, although the latter are proven killers?
(c) What can the so-called "non-health issues" related to vaping be, that the Cabinet allegedly raised that have greater impact than (ill-)health behaviours which ultimately will cause more deaths, let alone addiction due to nicotine, pushing the users to abuse hard drugs (which is already an intractable problem nationally)?
(d) In this respect, although not mentioned in Datuk Lokman's response, how is it that "daun ketum" is successfully legislated as a "dangerous drug" (presumably with the Cabinet's approval) but the same Cabinet failed to appreciate the proven deadly effects of "daun tembakau"?
Not too long ago, the prime minister admitted that "the days the government knows best is over." Apparently, not when it comes to public policy in the current issues of nicotine-tainted vape where even expert opinions of public health professionals in the government sector are set aside.
When the lives of millions of innocent Malaysians are unequivocally at stake, the people must insist that the interest of the rakyat precedes all vested interests, including narrow political ones. As a health professional, I am reminded of the oath: First, do no harm. There are no two ways about it.
Politicians must be educated and reminded to respect this solemn oath too – that health of the people comes first at all cost. We urged that the Cabinet takes the professional advice of the Health Ministry more seriously in banning tobacco and vape use.
Professor Tan Sri Dzulkifli Abdul Razak