Enforce smoking ban again

STATISTICS from the 2019 National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) alarmingly revealed that one in two of the participants surveyed (50%) reported being exposed to second-hand smoke in non air-conditioned eateries and restaurants.

The health hazards of second-hand smoke are real and serious. Globally, an estimated 1.2 million non-smokers die each year from exposure to second-hand smoke.

In an effort to address this issue, Malaysia introduced a smoking ban in all eateries and restaurants nationwide effective Jan 1, 2019. Initially, monitoring and enforcement of the ban was robust, but it has waned considerably since then. Up and down the country, smokers are now blatantly flouting the ban.

Smoke from tobacco products, including second-hand smoke, remains the most identifiable and preventable risk factor for numerous diseases, including lung cancer. Our government must therefore demonstrate strong and responsible leadership and the political will to ensure that the smoking ban is enforced appropriately to protect the health and rights of non-smokers, many of whom are women and innocent children.

Progressive countries are implementing phased generational smoking bans and have strictly regulated or banned the sale of e-cigarettes, vapes and other disingenuous smokeless products.

Malaysia is a signatory to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) (Article 5.3), but interference from the tobacco industry here remains high and jeopardises implementation of the FCTC rules that govern the production, sale, distribution, advertisement, and taxation of tobacco.

Our National Strategic Plan for Tobacco Control (2021-2030) seeks to create a smoke-free generation (where those born after 2009 would not smoke) and has lofty aspirations to reduce smoking prevalence here (currently 21.3%) to 5% by 2040.

A vital first step is to protect non-smokers from the hazards of second-hand smoke by diligent monitoring and robust enforcement of the existing legislation.

COUNCIL OF LUNG CANCER NETWORK MALAYSIA