KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 (Bernama) — The Health Ministry (MOH) is in the process of drafting a Cabinet Memorandum on the proposed ban of electronic cigarettes or vapes to ensure its implementation is planned thoroughly and comprehensively.
Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the memorandum, which will set out the details and phases of the ban, will be presented to the Cabinet once completed.
Therefore, he urged all quarters to be patient, as further announcements will be made regarding the timeline and mechanism.
“I cannot pre-empt the Cabinet’s decision. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim fully supports this initiative and has asked me to ensure that everything is in order. We will present it at the appropriate time,” he told a press conference after launching the PUSRAWI Hospital celebration of World Breastfeeding Week 2025 here today.
On Aug 23, Dzulkefly said the memorandum would be presented to the Cabinet by year-end, following MOH’s submission of an initial proposal by an expert committee.
In another development, the minister called for more private hospitals to adopt the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) to support breastfeeding.
He said all 128 government hospitals nationwide have received BFHI recognition, compared with only 31 out of 180 private hospitals (17.2 per cent).
Dzulkefly said exclusive breastfeeding during the first 1,000 days of life has a significant impact on physical growth, brain development and disease prevention, making it the most effective intervention for long-term health.
He added that the initiative also aligns with the Malaysian National Nutrition Policy’s objective to reduce diet-related non-communicable diseases and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals 2030.
Dzulkefly also praised Pusrawi Specialist Hospital Kuala Lumpur for being the first private hospital in Malaysia to offer an induced lactation clinic for adoptive mothers, enabling them to experience the meaningful journey of breastfeeding.
“This also helps strengthen the emotional bond between adoptive mothers and their children, in line with BFHI’s aspiration to ensure every mother receives comprehensive support and a positive motherhood experience,” he said.
— BERNAMA
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