Thumbs Up For Tobacco Order But Smokers Still Defiant
By Narissa Noor and Arnie PDH Ishak

Bandar Seri Begawan - Despite the enforcement of the 2005 Tobacco Act, some smokers are still seen lighting up in restaurants, cafes and other public areas.

Although some are applauding the government's move to prevent the harmful effects of smoking, many are left asking whether the new regulations are far too stringent and whether the positives really does outweigh the negatives.

A former smoker, Nicholas Eng, 28, feels that the action taken by the government is a very smart move. "It will cause a lot of discomfort to the smoking community but in the long run it benefits everyone," he said.

"It will also encourage smokers to take steps to reduce smoking or even kick the habit completely. I know there are many who do want to quit but lack the initiative and there was no real pressure.

"It first started when smokers weren't allowed to smoke in cafes and restaurants. It is difficult enough not to smoke there and now with the restrictions, it will be even tougher. I kicked the habit once the cafes enforced the rules," he added.

"It will take a lot of adjustment and hopefully the government will increase its support to smokers who want to quit smoking but don't know how to.

He also suggested the introduction of more programmes in addition to those available in public clinics to help smokers kick the habit.

One smoker, who requested anonymity, did not agree entirely with the smoking ban.

"Asking for ID when buying cigarettes would reduce the number of youths who smoke," he agreed, but he questioned the entirety of the ban. "What was wrong with having a smoking and non-smoking section?"

He also noted the insufficient information circulating for the public's benefit. "Apart from occasional notices at cafes and in newspapers, a lot of people are still in the dark about where they can and cannot smoke," he added.

He also pointed out that the most effective way to stop people from smoking is to increase the price of cigarettes.

"Raising it by ten cents doesn't count. Raising it by two or three times the price might have been a better solution than a total ban," he asserted.

When asked about smoking shisha, he said, "Unlike smoking, shisha is not a habit. So not allowing it is like removing one's pastime, so I really don't see the point."

Proprietors of a popular eatery in Kiulap, Sugar and Spice, are dreading to see the effects of the Tobacco Order, which will inevitably affect their business.

Hjh Zaidah and Mohd Radwan argued that the service they provided for customers, prior to the ban, allowed their customers, mostly young adults, to enjoy shisha with their friends in a safe, hygienic environment.

"The shisha we provide is reguiateci and prepared with the proper utensils and practices. The ban will not stop people from using shisha but instead encourage them to do it at home where the ingredients used or the environment might not be safe or hygienic.

"According to the Ministry of Health our customers may not be able to smoke (in the open sitting area of the restaurant) but they can walk a few metres away just outside the open area, smoke and throw their cigarette butts anywhere as opposed to an ashtray," Hjh Zaidah said.

"The authorities are just taking away another recreational activity and limiting further our freedom of choice but all that means is that they will go somewhere else to get what they want and in an uncontrollable environment," she said.

"With the release of the gazette, I know that nobody can do anything about it but abide by the law but they should have surveyed the effects and impact it will have on the social, commercial and economical issues first," she argued.

"If they are really serious about the matter they should just stop importing (cigarettes) completely," she asserted.  -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

Related News: Enforcement Of Tobacco Order Begins - Flout It At Your Peril | Tobacco Order Now In Force | Thumbs Up For Tobacco Order But Smokers Still Defiant | ‘A-Team’ Set Up To Nab Hospital Puffers

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