Health Ministry aims to reduce tobacco use prevalence by December 2025

KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Health Malaysia (KKM) aims to reduce the prevalence of conventional tobacco use to below 15% by December next year, following the enforcement of the Control of Tobacco Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852).

According to the Wilayahku portal, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad stated that the more comprehensive enforcement of Act 852 will help achieve this target compared to the 19% recorded in the 2023 Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) Malaysia.

“Although the prevalence of tobacco use has decreased from 21.3% to 19%, there has been a shift from conventional smoking to vaping.

“We now need to reduce it by another 4% to meet this target, and I hope we can achieve it by December 2025 to reach 15% or less,” he said during a media briefing regarding Act 852 at the Ministry of Health Malaysia building.

Dzulkefly made this statement when asked about the achievements targeted by KKM following the enforcement of Act 852 on October 1.

KKM has implemented an immediate ban on the sale of tobacco products in educational institutions, retail markets, online, and vending machines.

The ministry has also prohibited any form of advertising, promotion, and sponsorship of all types of tobacco products that target children and adolescents.