KJ fires back, slamming Tiong's lack of awareness on smoking-cancer link

KUALA LUMPUR: Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar, expressing disbelief, has criticised Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing for what appears to be a lack of awareness regarding the link between smoking and cancer.

The scathing exchange unfolded after Tiong blamed Khairy for alleged defects in the anti-smoking and tobacco control bill introduced during Khairy's tenure as the health minister.

Tiong, the Bintulu member of parliament, labelled Khairy as the worst health minister, asserting that Khairy failed to substantiate the connection between smoking and cancer.

In response, Khairy took to a series of Instagram stories, including questioning Tiong's competence as a cabinet member and tagged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Khairy posted: It's 2023, and there is still a minister who questions the link between smoking and cancer.

"(This was) said by a member of the Madani Cabinet. Honestly, @anwaribrahim_my, what kind of half-past-six ministers have you got?"

Tagging Anwar's account on Instagram, Khairy said: "You're only as good as your ministers."

Supported his argument by sharing a screenshot of an article confirming that smoking can cause cancer throughout the body, Khairy said: (This is) from the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USA. Not an empty talk in Bintulu coffeeshops".

Additionally, Khairy shared a post by World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, warning the public about the harmful effects of smoking on the lungs, immune system, and overall health.

The clash between the two stems from the scrutiny of the generational end-game (GEG) bill has faced.

The bill, introduced by Khairy, seeks to ban smoking among those born after 2007 and restrict the sale of tobacco products to that age group.

Attorney-General Datuk Ahmad Terrirudin Salleh recently deemed a provision in the bill unconstitutional, citing a violation of the article on equality before the law.

Khairy, in response to setbacks faced by the bill, blamed three unnamed government figures.

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