CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF CIGARETTE(TOBACCO)SMOKERS IN MALAYSIA

CIGARETTE (TOBACCO) SMOKERS IN MALAYSIA

Tobacco is one of the leading preventable causes of death in Malaysia. Under the current law, smoking is banned in all public places. These include amusement centers, theatres, hospital, clinics, public vehicles and air-conditioned restaurants. Likewise, anyone underage of eighteen is not allowed to buy cigarettes or any tobacco products. Free cigarette samples are not allowed to be distributed at the public events or places as this carries a maximum fine of RM 5000 or not more than two years jail.

The British American Tobacco Malaysia is a part of the world’s second largest international tobacco group and is the largest manufacturer of cigarettes in Malaysia The government is losing approximately RM1.5 billion in revenue annually. The illegal market has spawned a major industry which gives syndicates operating smuggling networks up to RM1 billion in profits yearly. It also defeats the government’s move to raise prices to discourage smoking among the young. An explanation on why people continue smoking regardless of the dangers is because as for teenagers, they smoke to appear older and more grown up, especially if they are surrounded by young adults who smoke. As for the adults they smoke due to stress in their work and there are some who smokes to lose weight, replacing foods with cigarettes.

The individual cost to a smoker’s health and well being is enormous, but financially costs are high as well. Smokers pay higher life insurance premium and contribute billion of dollars in taxes, while nonsmokers never have to pay. Smoking is also associated with the costs of physical damages such as burn holes in furniture, clothes, car interior, and fires, and then there is the cost of cigarettes themselves.

One of the ways to quit smoking among the smokers are they should be recommended to the E-Cigarette. It is an electronic cigarette which looks like a cigarette. However, the cigarette does not contain tobacco or any other harmful substances.

Tobacco use has negative economic consequences on every level from global, domestic and individual. The tobacco has claimed that a major decrease in tobacco consumption would seriously damage the economy because the government revenues will be less Overall, tobacco smoking should be banned in a country in order to protect our planet, economy, and individual’s health.

(380 WORDS)
NOR SALINAH BINTI MOHAMED IBRAHIM
106260
SECTION 17