Tobacco Act Continues To Gain Momentum
By Nur Farhanah Aus

Bandar Seri Begawan - After a month of continuous efforts to enforce the Tobacco Act 2005, many establishments and individuals are now more aware of the move by the Ministry of Health, but response has remained mixed about the success of the order.

In an interview with The Brunei Times, college student Shamsul Ali said that the reinforcement of the order this year has significantly reduced the number of people smoking in public places.

He lauded the Tobacco Contol Unit for their work in protecting the well being of non-smokers in the country from the negative effects of tobacco smoke.

A Jerudong resident, Fatin Hariz, told The Brunei Times that curbing of smoking in public places can help to control one's smoking habit and strengthen their self-discipline.

She also believes that some smokers can kick their habit of smoking in the near future now that their smoking areas and activities are restricted.

Meanwhile, at a sundry shop in Kiarong, a salesperson related that tobacco sales at the shop have dropped by 30 per cent over the one month period. Despite this, however, the store's gross earning is not badly affected. The convenience store is complying with the Tobacco Act and displays only one pack of cigarette per brand and posts up Tobacco Act posters on the walls.

Similarly, a manager at a small business in Gadong told The Brunei Times that business has been as usual and not very much affected by the order, as most of her customers are regulars.

Not everybody thinks that the reinforcement of order has been completely successful. An officer in the local private sector expressed disappointment as he had seen many customers continuing to light up openly at restaurants, despite the presence of No Smoking signs.

"Other customers at the restaurant will be harmed by inhaling the second hand smoke," he said, wishing to remain anonymous.

Stressing that restaurant owners need to play their role in reminding customers to comply with the Tobacco Act, he also hoped that inspections are to be made regularly and with wide coverage.

Inspections carried out by the Tobacco Control Unit are meant to ensure shops and restaurants fully comply with the new rules and to educate the public on the importance of the Tobacco Act. If a restaurant owner finds a patron refusing to comply with the regulations, the owner can lodge a complaint and seek assistance from the Royal Brunei Police Force.  -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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