Over 43,000 secondary school students smoke cigarettes, says Health Ministry

KUALA LUMPUR: A screening of 1.3 million secondary school students conducted by the Health Ministry through the Oral Health Tobacco-Free (KOTAK) programme last year found that 43,019 of them are smokers, says Lukanisman Awang Sauni.

The Deputy Health Minister said that during the same period, a screening of two million primary school pupils found 341 were also into the habit.

"Those identified as smokers were given intervention for smoking cigarettes, while those who do not smoke were given continuous health education to ensure they remain smoke-free," he said during question and answer session at the Dewan Negara on Tuesday (April 4).

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He said this in reply to a question from Senator N. Balasubramaniam who wanted to know the latest developments by the Ministry of Health (MOH) with regards to the Anti-Smoking Generational End Game 18 Plan (GEGAR-18) and how successful it had been.

Lukanisman said his ministry would continue to strengthen and expand the GEGAR-18 programme which aims to provide legal knowledge and continuous education to create a smoke- free environment.

"The GEGAR-18 campaign was also organised at nine higher learning institutions in collaboration with the Volunteer Foundation and the Ministry of Higher Education.

"In line with the GEGAR-18 campaign, 19 university campuses implemented the University Quit Smoking Services (mQUIT) programme and conducted screenings and interventions to stop the smoking habit among undergraduates," he said

He said his ministry would also be extending the GEGAR-18 campaign to youths who are not at any higher learning institutions through the Malaysian Youth Council and other related organisations. - Bernama