KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 Bernama) -- All quarters are urged to respect the enforcement of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) and to understand that the various measures are implemented for the well-being of Malaysians, rather than solely for the interest of the industry.
The Malaysian Green Lung Association, in a statement today, said that Act 852 was drafted based on scientific evidence and approved by the government to safeguard public health.
“We would like to emphasise that the government’s actions through this Act aim to reduce nicotine addiction, prevent various smoking-related diseases and alleviate the financial burden of treatment costs and productivity losses in the country,” it said.
The association also expressed disappointment with the statement made by the Malaysia Singapore Coffee Shop Proprietors’ General Association (MSCSPGA), which urged the government to reconsider Act 852 and claimed that making changes to the layout, installing storage units and updating signage to comply with the new regulations would result in increased workload and operational costs for operators.
Nevertheless, Green Lung Malaysia said that the portrayal given by MSCSPGA does not correspond with the findings of a previous study conducted to explore the types of incentives provided by the tobacco industry to tobacco product sellers, including coffee shops, convenience stores and sundry shops.
“The study found that the tobacco industry has long provided incentives to shop operators. Furthermore, over half (52.5 per cent) of premises operators have arranged tobacco products at the sales counter according to the planogram supplied by tobacco company representatives,” the statement read.
As such, Green Lung Malaysia questioned why the ban on displaying tobacco products is now regarded as a burden when it should reduce the time and effort required to arrange products.
“MSCSPGA should reach out to the industry for help if they require new display cases instead of impeding the enforcement of laws that clearly benefit public health.
“According to research findings, the profits from tobacco products make up only a small portion of these shops’ earnings,” it added.
-- BERNAMA
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