Tawau Food and Beverage Operators Association has responded to the Malaysia Singapore Coffee Shop Proprietors’ General Association’s (MSCSPGA) call against the Tobacco Product and Smoking Bill 2022 that is currently being scrutinised by the Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC) would seriously affect the industry’s business.
The Deputy President of the Tawau Food and Beverage Operators Association, Lee Swee Sang, along with coordinator Thien Nyuk Ying, committee member Sim Hok Kui, as well as honorary president Chau Oi Keong, presented MSCSPGA’s objection on this bill to Tawau Member of Parliament – Christina Liew.
It is reported that, once this bill is implemented, the authorities are very likely to restrict the public sale of cigarettes by way of regulations. Cigarette companies that are affected may face restrictions, thereby reducing marketing channels in the market. This will cause the industry to lose out on a significant amount of income.
Despite the government’s intention to ban specific groups from smoking through this bill, this could backfire on them. Based on the current enforcement situation, this could very well lead to more problems such as biasness in enforcement. This would not only result in a failure to ban smoking but also cause even more social problems.
