KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is learning the viability of imposing a tobacco product display ban, as a part of the nation’s “generational endgame” technique to finish the smoking behavior.
If carried out, shopkeepers may not be capable to display tobacco merchandise of their premises – a transfer that has been carried out in lots of international locations resembling Australia, Singapore and Britain.
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, nonetheless, mentioned such a transfer would require loads of thorough research and engagement classes with stakeholders first.
“Among the options is that tobacco merchandise on the market can’t be displayed. There are additionally proposals for plain packaging on tobacco merchandise, much like what different international locations are doing.
“These proposals are being studied by the Health Ministry,” mentioned Khairy to reporters after a World Asthma Day occasion right here.
Malaysia’s “generational endgame” transfer is a plan to ban the sale of cigarettes and tobacco merchandise, together with ecigarettes, to folks born after 2005.
The Tobacco and Smoking Control Bill is presently being finalised and it may very well be tabled within the Dewan Rakyat this July.
Khairy, nonetheless, mentioned the provisions for the tobacco product display plan, if accepted, wouldn’t be inserted within the Bill.
“The provisions will be part of the rules and regulations (of the smoking ban) that will only be drawn after the Bill is tabled,” he mentioned.
Engagement classes will must be organised with well being teams in addition to enterprise homeowners, mentioned Khairy.
“If we are to impose a product display ban, premises owners might need to make modifications to their shops. This is why we need to have more engagement sessions on this, as the matter involves many stakeholders.
“We will also look at how effective the display ban is in other countries. Once we have completed our study on this, we will make a decision.
“If we agree to implement the product display ban, we can start transitioning towards the move,” mentioned Khairy.
