Latest news with #SportsandHealthCommittee


The Sun
02-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
ASEAN chess championship boosts youth skills and regional ties
THE 23rd ASEAN Plus Age Group Chess Championships serves as a vital platform for nurturing young minds and strengthening regional diplomacy through sports, according to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The event gathers more than 400 young chess talents from 21 countries, including ASEAN members and dialogue partners such as the United States, China, Russia, India, South Korea, and Japan. In his speech at the opening ceremony, delivered by Penang Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen, Anwar highlighted Malaysia's pride in hosting the prestigious tournament. 'Chess is not merely a game of strategy; it is a platform for sharpening the intellect, cultivating discipline, and fostering healthy competition,' he said. Anwar expressed confidence that the championship would enhance regional sportsmanship while reinforcing diplomatic relations and mutual understanding among participating nations. He encouraged all players to embrace the opportunity to gain valuable experience, showcase their skills, and bring honor to their countries. The tournament, running from July 1 to 11, is expected to leave a lasting positive impact on chess development across the region.


The Sun
21-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Penang mulls vape ban, holds talks with industry groups
BUTTERWORTH: The Penang government will continue holding engagement sessions with stakeholders on the vape industry before considering implementing a ban on it in the state. State Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen said the engagement sessions aim to gather views and suggestions from all parties on the matter. 'Last Thursday, I met with representatives from the Vape Entrepreneurs Group Association, and we listened to the various issues they raised concerning the industry, particularly regarding Act 852 – the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024. 'They also expressed concerns about the impact of the act's implementation on the industry, and based on the feedback received, Act 852 can be considered one of the strictest regulatory frameworks in the country compared to other industries,' he told reporters after attending an Engagement Programme with the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) and Persatuan Mencegah Dadah Malaysia (Pemadam), here today. Gooi said the state government is also prepared to consider a ban on vape sales if the enforcement of Act 852, which takes effect on Oct 1, does not yield the desired positive outcomes. He said that a regulatory mechanism for the supply of electronic cigarettes has been introduced through the act, and the strategy to reduce its usage in Penang must be implemented in a comprehensive and planned manner. Previously, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad stated that state governments have the legal space to implement a ban on the sale of vape products in their respective states.


The Sun
21-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Penang to continue engagements on vape industry
BUTTERWORTH: The Penang government will continue holding engagement sessions with stakeholders on the vape industry before considering implementing a ban on it in the state. State Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen said the engagement sessions aim to gather views and suggestions from all parties on the matter. 'Last Thursday, I met with representatives from the Vape Entrepreneurs Group Association, and we listened to the various issues they raised concerning the industry, particularly regarding Act 852 – the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024. 'They also expressed concerns about the impact of the act's implementation on the industry, and based on the feedback received, Act 852 can be considered one of the strictest regulatory frameworks in the country compared to other industries,' he told reporters after attending an Engagement Programme with the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) and Persatuan Mencegah Dadah Malaysia (Pemadam), here today. Gooi said the state government is also prepared to consider a ban on vape sales if the enforcement of Act 852, which takes effect on Oct 1, does not yield the desired positive outcomes. He said that a regulatory mechanism for the supply of electronic cigarettes has been introduced through the act, and the strategy to reduce its usage in Penang must be implemented in a comprehensive and planned manner. Previously, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad stated that state governments have the legal space to implement a ban on the sale of vape products in their respective states.

Barnama
21-06-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Penang To Continue Engagements On Vape Industry
BUTTERWORTH, June 21 (Bernama) -- The Penang government will continue holding engagement sessions with stakeholders on the vape industry before considering implementing a ban on it in the state. State Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen said the engagement sessions aim to gather views and suggestions from all parties on the matter. 'Last Thursday, I met with representatives from the Vape Entrepreneurs Group Association, and we listened to the various issues they raised concerning the industry, particularly regarding Act 852 – the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024.

Barnama
21-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Penang To Consider Banning Sale Of Electronic Cigarettes If Act 852 Fails To Produce Positive Outcome
GEORGE TOWN, May 21 (Bernama) -- The Penang government is prepared to consider banning the sale of electronic cigarettes and vapes if the enforcement of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) fails to produce positive outcomes. State Youth, Sports and Health Committee Chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen said a mechanism to regulate the supply of electronic cigarettes has been introduced under Act 852, which is currently in the product registration phase and scheduled for enforcement on October 1. He said the state government will closely review the enforcement mechanism and formulate a comprehensive strategy to curb vape use in Penang, emphasising that the matter must be handled strategically to prevent the emergence of illegal markets and smuggling activities as unintended consequences. 'The issue is very complicated. If we implement a comprehensive sales ban, we will face several challenges, among them is our state border, which is close to Kedah and Perak, because users can gettheir supply in Kulim or Parit Buntar, and this will be difficult in terms of enforcement. 'Secondly, banning the sale of vapes does not necessarily stop users from vaping, but will push them to the illegal market, which may encourage smuggling. This is one of the aspects we have to consider,' he said He said this when winding up the debate on the opening speech by Penang Governor Tun Ramli Ngah Talib at the State Assembly sitting here today. However, Gooi emphasised that the state government remains firm in its stance on the issue, consistently supporting the ban on the use of electronic cigarettes, particularly among minors, and discouraging the sale of all smoking products, including vapes, in line with efforts to safeguard public health. He also said that the enforcement of Act 852 since October last year has shown encouraging results, with a decline in the number of students involved in vaping-related offences in the state. Citing records from the Penang Education Department, he said that revealed that while 981 students were recorded for vape-related misdemeanours in 2024, the number dropped to 12 students between January and February this year.