In comparison to alcohol, there is no safe minimum threshold for smoking a cigarette, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin told the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday.

He said this in response to Dr Xavier Jayakumar (Independent-Kuala Langat) labelling the Tobacco and Smoking Control Bill 2022 as a “slippery slope” for extinguishing the personal liberty of an individual and that it may eventually lead to the banning of other products.

“That is what differentiates cigarettes from the example of alcohol. Actually, alcohol shouldn't be (consumed) either, but there are safe acceptable levels for people to drink it, should you choose to drink alcohol.

“There is no slippery slope here. We are clear on the fact that there is no safe minimum threshold for smoking a cigarette,” Khairy said during his winding-up speech on the bill.