Page 106 - ANUAL REPORT MOH 2017

NATIONAL STRATEGIC PLAN FOR TOBACCO CONTROL 2015 – 2020
In year 2017, implementation and surveillance for activities planned under National Strategic Plan for
Tobacco Control 2015-2020 was strengthened. This strategic plan was developed in congruence with
the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), WHO Western Pacific Region al Action
Plan for Tobacco Control and the WHO Global NCD Targets for 2025. Four pillar strategies have been
formulated to guide national tobacco control activities towards achieving the targets.

• Strategy 1 – Consolidation of Existing Tobacco Control Activities
The objective of the first strategy is to increase the capacity mandate and decisions for national tobacco
control activities through a national committee comprised of various governmental ministries and
agencies. Malaysia signed the WHO FCTC treaty in 2003 and it was enforced since 2005.

• Strategy 2 – Strengthening Tobacco Control Legislative and Enforcement Activities
In 28 October 2016, Cabinet Meetings has decided that a new Act is to replace Control of Tobacco
Product Regulations 2004 (CTPR 2004) within 2 years, called “Control of Tobacco Product and
Smoking Act”. It is also to include monitoring towards electronic cigarettes and other smoking devices,
enforcement towards sell, promotion, sponsorship, labelling related to health for liquid used for electronic
cigarette without nicotine, enforcement towards the use of electronic cigarette in non-smoking area, as
well prohibition of electronic smoking by minors. Currently, this Act is being reviewed by Legal Advisor
Ministry of Health Malaysia, before to be passed to Attorney General Chamber of Malaysia for further
action.

Various scheduled and planned periodic, thematic operations had been carried out and currently in
progress nationwide which focuses upon provisions enlisted within the Control of Tobacco Products
Regulation 2004. In year 2017, there were 10 E-Info Blast enforcement activities carried out by district
and state enforcement officers nationwide, with total of 1,995 notices issued and total compound value
of RM 527,600.

• Strategy 3 – Community Empowerment and Intensifying Multi Sectoral Involvement in
Tobacco Control
Communities under KOSPEN are encouraged to generate as many smoke free settings (which are not
gazetted under the CTPR 2004) as possible such smoke free homes (Rumahku Bebas Asap Rokok),
shops, stalls and eateries. KOSPEN communities are also encouraged to do their public events such
as smoke free weddings, public meetings and gathering. There are many other government agencies,
society groups, private and non-government organizations who could advocate healthy life style without
tobacco use, but it is essential that the messages conveyed by these groups are in line with the National
Strategic Plan for Tobacco Control.

• Strategy 4 – Strengthening Who FCTC MPOWER Implementation in Malaysia
World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) has introduced
MPOWER strategy to further strengthen the existing tobacco control in the country. The Malaysian
National Strategic Plan (NSP) for Tobacco Control focuses on strengthening each element of MPOWER.

A. M – Monitor
“Translating Evidence Towards Tobacco Control Policy in Malaysia” was published in 2017, collaboration
by the Scientific Studies Committee under FCTC Driving Committee, together with consultant from

MINISTRY OF HEALTH MALAYSIA ANNUAL REPORT 2017 105