‘Curb Smoking Raising Prices Of Cigarettes'
By Shareen Han

Bandar Seri Begawan - Relevant authorities should consider raising the prices of tobacco products to stop more people from smoking in Brunei, a speaker at the Medical Science Conference said yesterday.

To promote a supportive environment that discourages people from smoking, there should be a tax increase of cigarettes because tobacco products are sold at a relatively cheap price in. the sultanate, said Jonathan Lim, a second year medical student at Universiti Brunei Darussalam. Speaking on "Smoking Cessation: Management and Services Available in Brunei Darussalam", he said that one cigarette pack costs $2-$3, which is affordable for the majority in Brunei.

"Tax increases that raise the price of tobacco products are the most powerful policy tool to reduce tobacco use, and the single most cost-effective intervention," according to a World Bank report on tobacco control.

They are also the most effective intervention to persuade youths to quit or not start smoking, because "youths or those with low incomes tend to be highly sensitive to price increases," the report stated.

The World Health Organisation has also previously noted that the price of tobacco is the single-largest factor influencing the short-term consumption patterns of smokers.

"Most importantly, price plays a major role in determining how many young people will start smoking, and thus profoundly influences long-term consumption trends," it added.

The UBD medical student also recommended the creation of "smoking quitlines" to help and support people to stop smoking, and the media to embrace a bigger role in educating and disseminating information on the adverse effects of smoking.

More support groups can be established, whereby former smokers can provide help and guidance to smokers who wish to quit, he said.

Jonathan said that better clinical practices including in-service training for primary health care givers and incorporating clinical skills into undergraduate medical programmes can help in preventing more people from smoking.

He explained that there are three types of smoking cessation management services available in Brunei, which are patient-oriented, uses a population strategy and other control measures.

Patient-oriented services include pharmacies, hospitals, health centres and clinics, which provide nicotine replacement therapy and medical staff using the national clinical practice guidelines to treat their patients.

Another anti-tobacco drive available in Brunei is a strategy on health promotion and health education, through forums, talks, exhibitions and advertisement campaigns, he added.

Smokers are not allowed to smoke in all government buildings, schools, business premises, restaurants and other public places under the Tobacco Order.

He said that strict enforcement of the Tobacco Order is needed, when it is implemented later this year.  -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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