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The Health | february, 2019
issue: smoking
Breathing space for all
Malaysian smokers burned
through 11.6 billion sticks of
cigarettes, which means a total
of RM9.9 billion may have gone
up in smoke in 2017
T
he Penang Consumers Association
(CAP) revealed that Malaysian smokers
burned through 11,588.7 million sticks of
cigarettes, which means a total of RM9.9
billion may have gone up in smoke in
2017. Now with the smoking ban imple-
mented, it is understandable that there will be many
more hurdles to go to ensure a successful smoke-free
nation.
The last big anti-smoking campaign the govern-
ment ran was in 2010. Tak Nak Merokok was launched
in 2004 with posters, billboards, in print, radio and
television air time. However it fizzled out after results
proved that the advertising strategy was ineffective.
The Health speaks to Dr. Murallitharan Munisamy,
the Medical Director of The National Cancer Society
Malaysia (NCSM) to understand the efforts being
placed to make it a possibility.
Dr Murallitharan explains that people actually
have easy access to quit smoking clinics across
Malaysia.
SMOKING PROHIBITED: With all forms of
eateries becoming no smoking zones, it is hoped
to pave the way for more smokers to quit.
According to the smoking ban, the first six
months serves as a grace point to educate the
smokers. What do you think can be done in this
period to educate the public?
“The government and the NGOs are already doing
their part for this in terms of on-going awareness cam-
paigns. Furthermore, the educational enforcement are
launching their own initiative where they go to public
areas to address smokers and personally warn them if
they do not heed the smoking ban.”
“Meanwhile for the public, they can support the ban
by frequenting and sharing information about restau-
rants that are smoke free i.e. have no ashtrays, have
large no smoking signs displayed and no smokers.”
“We are currently running an NCSM and govern-
ment linked competition called Restoran Bebas Asap
Rokok dan Tembakau (#RestartNOW). How it works is
the person enters a smoke-free restaurant, they can
take pictures of the restaurant and post in on their
social media while tagging the hashtag #RestartNOW.
There’s also an incentive of RM100 for winners which
we announce weekly. We will be running this competi-
tion for a year so do take part!”
Restaurant owners have claimed that the
smoking ban has affected their revenue. What
is your take on this?
“Across many different countries, there has been
a lot of evidence which clearly points out how
revenues have been unaffected by the smoking
ban in restaurants.”
“Two very clear examples is Australia and in the
UK. Smoking was banned in all restaurants includ-
ing pubs and bars in both countries. Contrary to all
belief and the outcry from the tobacco industry as
well as restaurant/pub/bars, revenues increased.
Quite a lot in fact. So it disproves clearly in the
long run that smoking ban has affected revenue.
For sure, there will be a short term slowdown while
readjustment is going ahead.”
Actually, every
government clinic
has an MQuit
service — which is
the official smoking
cessation service
and is available all
across Malaysia. It
is being advertised
and NCSM has its
own MQuit clinic as
well.”
Not many Malaysians are aware of smoking
clinics. Is NCSM aware of this and if so, what
steps are being taken to create an awareness
that help is out there?
“Actually, every government clinic has an MQuit
service – which is the official smoking cessation
service and is available all across Malaysia. It is
being advertised and NCSM has its own MQuit
clinic as well.”
“All you need to do is to walk in to any govern-
ment clinic all across Malaysia. We are running
more awareness campaigns on this as well.”
10% of primary school children have already
taken onto smoking. What is NCSM doing to
combat this statistics?
“Children are picking up smoking from their par-
ents and peers. Easy access to cigarettes does not
help the numbers either since you can purchase
‘rokok batang’ at any small convenience stores.”
“NCSM has the biggest school-cessation
programme for secondary school children which
gets them to quit smoking; this programme which
runs for 6 months. This is our 4th year into the
programme and we cover a few thousands students
via the programme. However we are limited by our
resources. At the moment, we are planning to run
the programme in primary schools as well with aid
from our partners.”
What is the step by step program for smokers
at the smoking clinic?
Here are the few steps that you will undergo:
• Be assessed on your smoking level
• Given Counselling and depending on your smok-
ing level; access to certain medications to help you
quit
• Frequent visits to review your status and your
condition with upgrading or downgrading of
medications. — The Health