6 days ago
Pharmacists: Malaysia's frontline warriors against tobacco, vaping
PETALING JAYA: Pharmacists are key frontliners in Malaysia's ongoing fight against smoking and vaping, says the Malaysian Pharmacists Society (MPS).
Its president, Amrahi Buang, said pharmacists across the country continue to play a critical role in helping Malaysians quit tobacco, particularly through the Health Ministry's mQuit programme.
'Since the inception of the mQuit programme, MPS has collaborated closely with the ministry to train pharmacists in smoking cessation pharmacotherapy.
'Pharmacists are professionally equipped and stationed across public hospitals, health clinics and private community pharmacies where they deliver person-centred cessation counselling, nicotine replacement therapy interventions and behavioural support.
'Thousands of Malaysians ready to quit smoking have benefited from the mQuit programme since its inception,' he said in a statement on Saturday (May 31).
Amrahi also highlighted Malaysia's strong representation at the international level, with Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, the ministry's disease control division deputy director Dr Noraryana Hassan and Malaysian Council for Tobacco Control (MCTC) chairman Assoc Prof Dr Murallitharan Munisamy being named recipients of the World Health Organisation's World No Tobacco Day 2025 Award.
He added that their recognition aligns with Malaysia's multi-stakeholder approach to combating tobacco use and vaping-related harms.
Amrahi said MPS has long championed bold legislative reforms, including support for the Generational End Game provision to protect those born after 2007 from tobacco and vape addiction.
He said MPS has reaffirmed its commitment to tobacco control efforts and would continue to engage across sectors and platforms to strengthen tobacco control efforts, both nationally and internationally.
These include participation in bodies such as the MCTC, the mQuit Services Committee, the Poisons Board, the Drug Control Authority and the Pharmacy Board of Malaysia.
On the ground, the society supports school campaigns, inter-professional partnerships and public awareness initiatives to build a healthier, tobacco-free generation.
The society also continues to advocate for the restoration of regulatory safeguards and nationwide enforcement against the sale of illegal vapes and unlicensed outlets.
'We must not waver in our stance that health must come before profits, and that the nation's legislative framework must reflect this principle,' Amrahi said.
'As we mark World No Tobacco Day 2025, we renew our commitment to advocate without fear or favour, equip pharmacists with tools for intervention and stand united with all public health champions, across professions and politics, for the health of our nation.
'In the words of the World Health Organisation, 'We need food, not tobacco.' MPS responds: We need health, not harm. We need action, not delay,' said Amrahi.
