Friday, Nov 09, 2012
SEREMBAN, Malaysia - The Government has been urged to increase the minimum price for a pack of 20s cigarettes to RM$20 (S$8) from the present RM$7 (S$2.80).
It has also been asked to compel manufacturers and importers to reduce the nicotine and tar levels to between 1mg and 10mg from the current levels of between 1.5mg and 20mg per stick.
These are among the views received by the Health Ministry from the public via online engagement recently.
The ministry had solicited public feedback on the matter to strengthen provisions in the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations 2004.
This is part of the ministry's efforts to discourage the people, particularly the young, from picking up the habit.
The Government had increased the minimum price for a pack of 20s to RM7 in September. A pack of 20s now retails at between RM8.70 (S$3.50) and RM10.60 (S$4.30).
Some respondents had asked for an almost triple increase in the minimum price as they felt the present price was not a deterrent for the young.
Some have also asked the ministry to require cigar, cheroot and shisha makers and importers to imprint pictures of the ill-effects of smoking on their products.
At present, only cigarette manufacturers are required to do so.
They also want the ministry to impose a ruling for all tobacco companies and importers of related products to increase the size of such graphic from the present 40 per cent to 70 per cent.
Other suggestions include banning smoking in pubs, discos, night clubs, casinos, hotel lobbies and non-air-conditioned eating outlets.
The tobacco industry in its response through the online engagement however opposed the proposal to have the nicotine and tar levels reduced drastically as this could adversely affect business.
They said if the ruling was immediately enforced, it could have a severe impact on the legal tobacco industry.
The industry said they would also need a six-month notice if the ministry wished to increase the pictorial health warning size on cigarette packs.
They are also against a proposed plan by the ministry to require manufacturers and importers to print the words "Smoking is Hazardous to Health" on every cigarette stick saying this would only benefit the illegal cigarette trade.
I can buy 2 pax therewith the price of 1 here.
