The Health Ministry will be tabling a new bill on the usage of tobacco, vape, electronic cigarettes and shisha in Parliament by March 2020 sitting.

Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said the ministry is now in the final phase of study to formulate the bill, which is described as more comprehensive to handle various current issues.

"We are almost at the end of discussions with the attorney-general and are very hopeful of tabling it in Parliament in the first quarter before March next year,” he told reporters after attending the ‘Stop The Stigma’ run organised by Sarawak General Hospital at the Old State Legislative Assembly building in Kuching today.

Commenting further, Dzulkefly said the act will encompass not only tobacco, but also several other issues related to nicotine found in vapes or e-cigarettes.

Earlier, Deputy Health Minister Dr Lee Boon Chye headed the special committee to look into vaping and shisha, which involves the Domestic Trade and Consumerism Ministry, Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and Health Ministry pharmacy on tobacco products containing nicotine.

Meanwhile, on the run, Dzulkefly said it was held to raise the awareness of the people on the importance of mental health as well as mental health problems which are on the rise.

“In Malaysia, the trend of suicide among teenagers has shown an increase in the past few years.

“A National Health and Morbidity Survey in 2017 found the prevalence of committing suicide among teenagers aged between 13 and 17 was 10 percent compared to 7.9 percent in 2012,” he said.

- Bernama