Raising tobacco prices and taxes is the best way

I REFER to the letter “Higher prices won’t stop smokers” (The Star, Oct 25).

Firstly, I declare that my interest is only public health as a basic consumer right, as a consumer advocate and also as a member of the Malaysian Council for Tobacco Control (MCTC) representing the Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations (Fomca).

The writer has written many letters to the media questioning the effectiveness of price and taxation as a tobacco control measure by simplistic arguments. We need to understand that a tobacco price strategy essentially targets the young and the children, to make it harder for them to access tobacco products and try smoking. The banning of Kiddie Packs in 2010 was part of the strategy. Studies support the argument that tobacco price impacts consumption. This includes the 2016 MOH-UPM study titled “The relationship between tobacco taxation and demand determinants to reduce cigarette consumption and smoking prevalence in Malaysia”.

A recent report on the varying levels of tobacco tax by states in the United States shows that higher tax has reduced smoking prevalence. Price strategy as tobacco control is a provision in the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) supported by the World Bank. This is a international best practice that should be adopted and enforced.

The argument that higher prices won’t stop smokers is misleading and was part of the deliberate game played by the tobacco industry to undermine public policy before they lost in the US. Since then the tobacco industry has shifted its focus to Asia and Africa to buy their way into the public health policymaking process to mute policies and regulations that hinder their bottomline. Many are working as fronts to further the tobacco industry’s agenda.

Human lungs are meant to breath in clean air. No sane person would agree that the long term inhalation of any fumes or vaping is safe or beneficial.

Justifying vaping as a means to stop smoking by Public Health England was based on literature review of the relative harm against smoking. This was criticised by The Lancet in 2015 as the authors were linked to tobacco industry interests. WHO also does not support the suggestion to vape as a means to stop smoking. The means to smoking cessation cannot be bought off a shelf. It requires professional help.

New reports highlight risks similar to tobacco from long-term use of vape. In such scenarios, we should be listening to health professionals regarding tobacco control and evidence-based strategies.

MUHAMMAD SHA’ANI ABDULLAH

Co-ordinator

Tobacco Control @SmokeFreeMY Initiative, Fomca