She said, generally, the GEG policy had its advantages. But when it came to its implementation, it could not be too “drastic”.

“I will look into that,” she said on Bernama Radio’s “Bersama Pemimpin” programme here today.

Zaliha said this when asked if she would continue the various policies started under its previous minister.

Among other things, the GEG law will prohibit the sale and use of any form of smoking-related products, including electronic cigarettes or vapes to those born from Jan 1, 2007 onwards. The aim is to ban the future generation from smoking and vaping.

The GEG bill was tabled for the first reading by former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin on July 27 but was later referred to a parliamentary special select committee for fine-tuning.

Zaliha said in helming the ministry, she was open to receiving advice and suggestions from former health ministers as well as stakeholders.

As the country’s first woman health minister, Zaliha admitted that her biggest challenge was to maintain excellence in the ministry and work to improve the country’s healthcare services.