MOH Remains Steadfast To Realise 'Malaysia Bebas Rokok' By 2040 - Dzulkefly

CYBERJAYA, May 31 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry (MOH) remains steadfast in its mission to realise a "Malaysia Bebas Rokok" by 2040, said Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.

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

"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 IndustryTactics on Smoking Products".

Dzulkefly said today the people are not only confronting harmful products but confronting a billion-dollar industry that has rebranded addiction via sleek devices, sweet flavours, seductive marketing, aimed squarely at the promising youth.

Highlighting Malaysia's international recognition, Dzulkefly said the World Health Organisation (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), Dzulkefly said smoking prevalence among adults has declined from 22.4 per cent in 2019 to 19.8 per cent 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.

Dzulkefly said as a comprehensive prevention and intervention measure, MOH launched several strategic initiatives including KOTAK (Oral Health Without Smoking) programme and school counselor 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) 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 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 like Malayan tiger conservation and eco-tourism.

-- BERNAMA