Negative Impact Of Smoking Calls For Stringent Measures

Bandar Seri Begawan - Smoking is a serious threat to the community and the impact on the public's health was sufficient for the government to take stringent measures in order to safeguard their health and lives.

Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Paduka Hj Hazair Hj Abdullah, acting minister of health was speaking during the launching of posters and no smoking signs to ministries and various departments within the government at Rizqun International Hotel in Gadong, yesterday said that the habit of smoking and the use of tobacco products have been known to lead to various negative effects on health and among the more common diseases known to have been caused by the habit is heart failure, cancer, strokes, asthma and respiratory failure.

He said the Health Ministry, as part of their long term strategies, not only provide cures and remedies for illnesses but also conducts research and studies further into the illnesses to find the source.

Prevention is better than cure, said the acting minister and it is part of the ministry's initiative in-line with His Majesty's titah that prevention of these illnesses should be done by prohibiting smoking altogether.

"The Tobacco Act of 2005 which will be enforced on June 1 is a step towards safeguarding the public against the negative impacts of smoking and the use of tobacco products," he said adding that the enforcement is also aimed at safeguarding passive smokers and ensuring that all public places and spaces always have clean air.

As we all know since 1994 all government buildings both internally and externally have been declared as a no smoking zone and this declaration on the government administration level has more or less helped to educate the public especially civil servants," said Pehin Dato Hj Hazair. However, he added, despite the declaration, there are still those that pay no attention to the warnings.

"With the enforcement of the Tobacco Act commencing on June 1, those who do not abide by the law and pay no attention to the warnings will then be liable for legal prosecution. This means that those that are found guilty of smoking in public will be fined a maximum of $1,000."

Also attending the event were senior government officials from the ministry and other government departments. (SRH1) -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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