Ministry committed to 'smoke-free M'sia' by 2040 - Dzulkefly

Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said his ministry remains steadfast in its mission to realise a cigarette-free Malaysia by 2040.

He said this is achievable through shared commitment and standing firm on policies rooted in the public good.

“As we look ahead, the Health Ministry 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 in Cyberjaya yesterday.

The event was held in conjunction with World No Tobacco Day, with the theme, “Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Smoking Products”.

Dzulkefly said that not only is the confrontation with harmful products, but also with a billion-dollar industry that has rebranded addiction via sleek devices, sweet flavours, and seductive marketing, aimed squarely at the youth.

Highlighting Malaysia’s international recognition, he said the World Health Organization (WHO) officially adopted Malaysia’s Lung Health Resolution during the 78th World Health Assembly recently.

He said that was a historic move marking the first-ever global resolution that places lung health at the centre of the world’s public health agenda.

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), in effect since Oct 1, 2024, restricts the marketing and sale of tobacco and vape products, especially to youth.

Citing the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS), the minister said smoking prevalence among adults has 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 percent to 5.1 percent, 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.

Initiatives and partnerships

Dzulkefly said that as a comprehensive prevention and intervention measure, his ministry launched several strategic initiatives, including the Kotak (Oral Health Without Smoking) programme and school counsellor training.

Other initiatives include strategic partnerships with the National Cancer Society Malaysia, Malaysian Medical Association, Malaysian Drug Prevention Association, corporate partners such as Maybank, Kenvue, Johnson & Johnson, and AstraZeneca, as well as collaboration with the National Poison Centre through its Siri Bebas Rokok programme.

At the event, an official mascot of Malaysia’s Lung Health Initiative named Pak Lung was launched.

It represents courage, unity, and a collective fight to defend the lungs and lives of future generations.

A total of 100 Pak Lung mascots will be placed across the country to drive public awareness, support community outreach, and connect the lung health campaign to larger causes, such as the conservation of the Malayan tiger and eco-tourism.

- Bernama

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