MPOWERing the world

The Star

13-07-2025

THE 'strongest possible measures' against vaping should be adopted as the devices – aimed at putting nicotine back on the agenda – are as bad as cigarettes, says Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin.
Countries are now dealing with the same tactics and approaches the world experienced with tobacco cigarettes to a 'disgraceful degree', he said.
'We were caught off guard by the onset of vaping.
'Now there is research on the evils of vaping and Ireland has introduced substantial legislation to deal with it including banning the sale of vapes (or e-cigarettes) to those under 18,' Martin said in his opening speech at the recent World Conference on Tobacco Control (WCTC) in Dublin.
In the battle against tobacco, he stressed that a 'relentless focus' on children is critical.
'Many of my friends started smoking at ages nine and 10. We have to be extremely vigilant,' he said, adding that Ireland wants to work with other countries in keeping the global population safe from the harms of tobacco products.
'I have always been a strong opponent of vapes because there was very little due diligence done on the composition as well as the health impact of these devices.
'It's extraordinary that vapes ended up on the shelves without any real health and safety analysis (being done prior),' he said.
Concurring, World Health Organisation (WHO) director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that new and emerging nicotine and tobacco products could pose serious health threats, especially to children.
'The marketing is aggressive, the appeal of their products is strong, and regulation is often weak.
'But our vigilance on new products must go hand-in-hand with intensified action on conventional tobacco products,' he said.
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'The 2025 WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, which we are launching here, shows that the MPOWER ( see infographics ) measures introduced in 2008 to support the implementation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) international treaty, are working.
'Around the world, 155 countries have implemented at least one MPOWER measure at best-practice level but despite the rise in regulation, new tobacco products are being introduced and pushed to the youth,' he said, adding that to protect the next generation from tobacco-related diseases and death, all countries must commit to implementing at least one more MPOWER measure at best-practice level within the next year, and those that have passed laws on tobacco control must enforce them rigorously.
Researchers, he stressed, must continue building the evidence base on the health impacts of new and emerging tobacco and nicotine products.
'Legislators and regulators must ban flavours and designs in vapes that are designed to attract children and young people.
'And, to truly make a meaningful difference in tobacco control, we must embrace our youth and place them at the centre of our efforts,' he said, adding that tobacco control is central to tackling noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), an agenda at the upcoming United Nations High-Level Meeting on NCDs in September.
During the 2025 Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards for Global Tobacco Control ceremony, WHO Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries, Michael R. Bloomberg, said for all we've accomplished, there's so much more to do.
The Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies founder, who announced a new US$20mil (RM84.8mil) Accelerator Fund to help advance progress in countries where tobacco control is stalled, said the work has gotten harder especially for organisations that received funding from the United States.
'I know there's a lot of concern that foundations will pull back on funding, too. So let me just say this: Global public health is a driving passion and we are not backing off. Not one inch.
'Bloomberg Philanthropies will work with partners to proactively engage governments and NGOs in several low- and middle-income countries that either lack best-practice tobacco control measures or are close to implementing all best-practice measures,' he pledged.
Bloomberg announced a new US$20mil fund to help countries where tobacco control is stalled. — Bloomberg Philanthropies
Governments and non-governmental organisations of India, Mauritius, Mexico, Montenegro, the Philippines and Ukraine, were presented with the 2025 Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards for Global Tobacco Control at the WCTC.
Where Malaysia stands
Malaysia's Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) – the country's first standalone law that covers all aspects of tobacco control, including the regulation of vapes – is laudable but 'there's always room for improvement', WHO FCTC Secretariat senior lawyer Kate Lannan said.
In April, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad acknowledged that there was a missed opportunity to ban vaping at the federal level but said the situation could always be revisited. The Generational Endgame (GEG) ban, part of Act 852, was originally intended to prohibit individuals born on or after Jan 1, 2007, from purchasing or smoking tobacco products, including vapes. However, the GEG element was removed from the final Bill due to constitutional issues.
Johor and Terengganu, however, have since enacted local government laws to halt the issuance of operating licences and prohibit the sale of vape products within their respective states.
Lannan said the WHO had been tracking the progress of the Bill as it went through the legislature and is 'pleased with various aspects of it'.
'Malaysia recently received the WHO World No Tobacco Day Award so you are definitely doing a lot of things right.
'But of course, there's always something more every nation can do to deepen and intensify the implementation of the FCTC (Framework Convention on Tobacco Control) that goes beyond the mere checking of boxes,' she said.
Commenting on the government's issuance of an interim nicotine manufacturing licence to a company, shortly after Dr Dzulkefly, the Health Ministry's Disease Control Division deputy director Dr Noraryana Hassan and Malaysian Council for Tobacco Control (MCTC) president Assoc Prof Dr Murallitharan Munisamy, were presented with the WHO award on May 19, Lannan said it is not the role of the Secretariat to take a party to task for elements not specifically covered in the FCTC.
'The Health Minister may not have known about this as there are other authorities involved but we have no doubt that Dr Dzulkefly will safeguard the public health of Malaysians,' she said.
The minister, who was among the recipients of a prestigious WHO award, had been 'carefully vetted and clearly researched' before being acknowledged for his contributions.
'The award is an important recognition of the progress Malaysia (has achieved in tobacco control). The recipients have done a great job. And, there is no doubt in our minds that the minister will protect public heath in Malaysia. We have every confidence in that,' Lannan said during a press conference at the WCTC.
According to the WHO Global Tobacco Epidemic 2025 Report, Malaysia has achieved best practice level for all MPOWER measures except two – offering help to quit tobacco use, and enforcing bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.