The Smoking Habit: Make it too expensive for them to smoke

THE Consumers Association of Penang welcomes the recent announcement by the Health Ministry of tougher measures to be taken against smoking. These include graphic health warnings on cigarette packs by January, the ban on the use of misleading descriptors such as “l ow - tar”, “mild”, “light” and “ul - tra-light” and an increase in no-smoking zones.
However, we are concerned to note that after 10 years of government anti-smoking campaigns, there has only been a two per cent drop in the number of smokers.
The magnitude of the smoking epidemic in Malaysia cannot be downplayed. More than 50 per cent of adult males are smokers. About 50 children below the age of 18 take up smoking every day, not to mention the 10,000 who die every year from smoking-related ailments. It has been estimated that the gover nment spends at least about RM4.8 billion yearly to treat tobaccorelated diseases.
We need even more stringent measures to consolidate our stand against the tobacco menace.
Section 16(1) of the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations 2004 clearly states: “The manufacturer shall pack the cigarettes in a packet containing not less than 20 sticks of c i g a r e t t e s. ” Unfortunately, cigarettes are still being sold in packs of 14. We understand the ban of these small packs has been deferred to 2010 as a result of an “administrative order”.
This order should be revoked and the sale of packs of 14 be halted without further delay.
The sale of loose cigarettes has also been banned for some time now by the gover nment.
However, CAP has just completed a random survey in Penang and found that eight out of 15 shops were selling loose cigarettes. Our survey results could very well be an indication that the situation is widespread in Penang and throughout the country.
In addition, the ban on smoking should be extended to cover all public places, including restaurants, bars, parks and recreation areas.
A licensing system that limits the number and location of outlets allowed to sell tobacco products should also be introduced.
Every outlet that sells tobacco or tobacco products could be licensed — and subject to yearly renewal. This renewal of licences could be blocked if any conditions of the licence are violated.
There also needs to be a very steep increase in taxes and duties on tobacco products, with the resultant price increases of cigarette packs to deterrent levels — an effective means for keeping the product out of reach of most of the popu l at i o n .
CAP also urges the government to raise the minimum legal age for purchase of tobacco products from 18 to 21 years, to match the legal voting age or the age of reason.
It is obvious that not all the provisions to enhance control over tobacco products and smoking will be covered in the amendments to the regulations.
Therefore, the Tobacco Control Act should quickly foll ow.
We understand that the draft is ready. CAP calls on the Health Ministry to set an early date for the release of this draft for public review and comment.
The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) emphasises the need for strong political commitment to develop and support tobacco- control measures.
It is hoped that the government will give its firm commitment to implementing effective measures.
Ideally, tobacco should be banned completely.