THE Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) welcomes the news about the imminent introduction of the long-awaited standalone Tobacco Control Act to replacethe Control of Tobacco Products Regulations (CTPR) 2004 which was ironically placed under the Food Act 1983, “Tobacco Control Act likely to be out by year-end” (The Star, April 9). It is hoped that the Health Ministry will then plug up all the loopholes in the CTPR and anticipate how the tobacco industry would evolve in the future. Hence, the way forward for the industry is to adopt brand and product extensions so that their products will not be within the definitions of most countries’ tobacco control laws or the FCTC. Thus, it will be ahead in thwarting the tobacco control effort every time. CAP has for decades been an advocate for tobacco control and with its experience is willing to work closely with the Health Ministry on this matter.

Source: The Star April 24, 2019 21:33 UTC