THE Malaysian Singapore Coffeeshop Proprietors’ General Association (MSCSPGA) has expressed concern that it has yet to be consulted by the government over the government’s intention to table the Control of Tobacco Products and Smoking Bill 2022, commonly known as the Generation End Game (GEG) bill.
The association, which represents over 20,000 coffeeshop operators in Malaysia, said it have shared their concerns with the government on this matter earlier this year but has not received any feedback.
“We think the bill should be reviewed by the recently appointed parliamentary special select committee health and domestic trade, entrepreneurship, cost of living and agriculture,” said MSCSPGA president Wong Teu Hoon.
“With the GEG Bill, retailers will become the frontliners in implementing the GEG bill but we are also questioning whether government has allocated adequate resource on the enforcement.”
Wong said the association has seen similar issues with firework-related enforcement in the recent years and that it is a seasonal activity during festive seasons only.
“If this bill is passed, do we have the resources to support the bill or it will fall back to retailer’s responsibility?” he questioned.
“Currently, the sales of legal tobacco products in retail shops make up 30% of total revenue. The GEG will impact revenue of retail shops at a time when the country is preparing for an unprecedented global recession.
In Malaysia, close to 60% of tobacco products in the market today are all illegal and we strongly believe it will worsen the illegal trade in Malaysia if enforcement continues to be an issue.
According to Wong, the retailers are also concerned about the penalties listed under GEG where any retailer caught selling cigarettes to a person in the GEG generation will be fined a minimum of RM30,000 or face imprisonment of up to three years, or both.
“GEG is not as easy to implement as the minimum age for selling cigarettes or alcohol. This law is different because the GEG generation will get older every year,” Wong opined.
“We are supportive of the Health Ministry’s agenda in reducing the number of smokers in Malaysia. All we ask is to be consulted and for our views to be heard.
“A comprehensive consultation, briefing, and impact study should therefore be held with retailers as we improve the GEG Bill together.” – May 29, 2023
Main pic credit: NST
