Putting off smokers with a higher price

Big problem: As of 2015, about five million or 22.8 of the Malaysian population aged 15 and above were smokers.

PETALING JAYA: About 1.1 million deaths can be prevented in the next 40 years if cigarette prices are increased to put off Malaysians from lighting up, along with other measures in place.

Hiking up the price to RM21.50 a packet, coupled with stronger enforce­ment and anti-smoking policies, will also deter about 2.1 million Malaysians from picking up the habit, according to a study by the Health Ministry and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).