New price for cigarettes from 1 Jan 2010

Much had been said and done to prevent the growing numbers of tobacco smokers among the Malaysian population. However, the measures taken so far was not that successful. This is proven as we can observe many youngsters do smoke especially during secondary school and more shocking fact that there are also increasing number of female smokers. If you buy a cigarette pack, you will not only see the warning from Ministry of Health that is 'Amaran oleh Kerajaan Malaysia. Merokok Merbahayakan Kesihatan'. I'm not sure when the new regulation was implemented that require the cigarette pack to display dangerous effect of smoking such as cancer and gangrene. It can be seen at the video commercial by Ministry of Health in their 'Tak Nak Merokok' Campaign.

Beginning 1 Jan 2010, the new price for cigarettes are as below as enforced through the Control of Tobacco Products Regulation (Amendment) (No.2) 2009.

The are two new regulations:

1. The minimum price of cigarette is RM 0.32 per cigarette. Thus, no cigarettes shall be sold in the country below that price. A notice listing the minimum price have to be clearly displayed at the counter or at the place the cigarettes are sold. The notice cannot contain logos, brands, trademarks or descriptions related to the cigarette sold.
2. Prohibition of sales using the words "discount, special price, special offer, promotion, promo, special edition and offer" or other words on the pack or the label or at the point of sale.

According to Minister of Health, Dato Seri Liow Tiong Lai, the new measures are to protect the interests of young children and teenagers from tobacco addiction and the possibility of drug abuse and chronic diseases. According to him, studies shown that increasing taxes and prices of cigarettes can reduce smoking especially among children, teenagers and low income persons. It is also claimed that a study made in 2004 in Malaysia has proved that price increment of cigarettes by 10% can reduce smoking by 3.8%. Based on the public responses through TV3 news, the smokers claimed that the increase of price is a burden to them. One of them said 'Once a smoker, always a smoker. People will continue to buy despite the hike of price.' In my opinion, this is very true. You can't reduce smoking by just increasing the price of cigarettes. What is more important to them is what will be the solution? I am wonder why the MOH do not promote Nicotine Replacement Therapy, NRT to the smokers to leave the addiction to cigarette smoking. Those smokers should be advised to see their doctors or pharmacists to eliminate away their addiction to smoking through NRT. NRT can help to cope with the withdrawal symptoms and cravings of nicotine from cigarette. It is available in the form of nicotine patch, inhaler, nasal spray, lozenge, sublingual tablet and the most popular, gum. Next issue is about the enforcement. Though cigarettes are prohibited among youngsters below 18 years old, many of them can still acquire cigarettes easily. This is because sellers would not care other than increasing their sales while buyers are not identified when purchasing. Back to my high school time, I couldn't believe my own eyes to see many of my peers had started smoking and they are daring enough to smoke in the toilet and secluded area in the school. Surprisingly, not many of them are being caught. My question is how on earth they obtained money to buy the cigarettes? What is so good with smoking?

I do smoke once and I choked myself. The smell of the smoke sticked to my clothes and my body. Once I got back home, I brushed my teeth for few times but the smelly breath was still there. Check my previous post here. With the new regulations, I can predict that the sales of legal cigarettes will be decreased. On the other hand, there will be influx of illegal cigarettes from our neighbouring countries which will be sought after. The effect to those smokers would be even greater as we do not know what substitute ingredients have been used. Those illegal cigarettes sales will be targeting the focus group of the new regulation which are the youngsters and the low income groups. So, to those readers who smoke, when will you going to leave your bad habit? Leave smoking and saves your money. Make it a part of your new year resolution. Happy New Year 2010!!