Perkara                      :           MAKLUM BALAS

Tajuk                         :           MORE TO BE DONE ON SECOND-HAND SMOKE

Akhbar                       :           THE STAR

Tarikh Siaran               :           15 JUN 2012

Kategori                     :           LAPORAN

Dikeluarkan Oleh         :           DR. CHONG CHEE KHEONG

                                               DIRECTOR DISEASE CONTROL DIVISION

                                               MINISTRY OF HEALTH

I would like to refer to the article published in The Star dated 15 June 2012, entitled “More to be done on second-hand smoke” and wish to thank Mr. Yong Check Yoon, for his concerns and suggestions.

As we know, massive and conclusive scientific evidence documents adverse effects of involuntary smoking through second-hand smoke on children and adults, including cancer and cardiovascular diseases in adults and adverse respiratory effects in both children and adults. In the 2006, report of the U.S Surgeon General updates the 1986 titled, The Health Consequences of Involuntary Smoking a detailed review of the epidemiologic evidence on the health effects of involuntary exposure to tobacco smoke were given.

Smokers should be more considerate towards the rights of non smokers while they are puffing away within the designated no smoking public places and even in their respective homes. As for the non-smokers, they can exercise their rights by politely informing smokers about smoking prohibition. The Ministry of Health would continue to curb the smoking problem through more enforcement activities in designated Smoke free areas.

Results of the recent Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) Malaysia 2011 showed that 83.5% of the public support a 100% Smoke free public places and the Ministry of Health is studying the possibilities of such of provisions within the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations (CTPR) 2004. This is consistent with the provisions of the WHO FCTC, Article 8 – Protection from exposure to tobacco smoke. The Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) report also reveals that 71% of adults were exposed to second-hand smoke in restaurants while 38.4% of the adult respondents were exposed to second-hand smoke at home.

The Ministry of Health appreciates the support from members of the public concerning the tobacco control measures including ‘plain packaging’ whereby, close developments is being studied from Australia’s experiences. Indeed, an environment free from involuntary exposure to second-hand smoke should remain an important national priority towards a “Healthy and Productive Nation”.