Bandar Seri Begawan - The Ministry of Health (MoH) is looking to strengthen its anti-smoking campaigns along with further enforcement of smoking laws in the hopes of one day creating a non-smoking generation in the Sultanate.

Minister of Health Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Suyoi Hj Osman said that apart from enforcing rules of smoking in nonsmoking areas, the ministry has also passed laws prohibiting the sales of cigarettes to those under the age of 18 as well as ensuring that cigarettes can only be imported and sold by licensed individuals.

"We also have been very active on the roadshow and some of our tasks have been taken over by the school counsellors themselves. We are asking the schools to cooperate with us to teach their students on the harms of smoking," said the minister after his tour of the "Show Truth. Picture Warning Saves Lives" smoking exhibition yesterday at the Ministry of Health.

"A lot of schools are now adapting this action and the (roadshow) exhibitions will help to pass on the message that smoking is harmful to our health and we are getting very good responses," he said.

The minister then reminded everyone that smoking is a habit which affects not only a person's health, but also the financial and social well-being of a smoker and those around him.

"Smoking can ruin your lives in more ways than one; not only your health but your economy and your social relations as you become isolated due to less and less people smoking. There are now people who shun those who smoke," he said.

Pehin Dato Hj Suyoi also urged smokers to practise restrain and consideration for non-smokers while in public areas and further reiterated the need for smokers to smoke only in designated smoking areas.

"It will be a good thing for everyone around if you stop smoking, this is our message for them," said the minister.
With regard to yielding results since the enforcement of the Tobacco Order, Pehin Dato Hj Suyoi said that the Ministry of Health has observed changes in the smoking community, although there is still a lot to be done.

"Many smokers are still not abiding the Tobacco Order but we are not disheartened by this," he explained, adding that the ministry will continue to keep up its efforts to reduce the number of smokers in the country.

Enforced on December 1, 2008, the Tobacco Order prohibits the consumption of tobacco-related products in public areas, where anyone found guilty of violating the order will face a fine not exceeding $1,000.

Furthermore, the order, aimed to deter and ultimately eliminate under-age smoking in Brunei, requires that managers of specified places or operators of specified vehicles to display notices which states that smoking is prohibited by law.

Held in conjunction with World No Tobacco Day celebrated globally on May 31, the exhibition showcased Brunei's initiative and efforts to raise public awareness on the harm and risks of smoking by displaying the negative effects of smoking on cigarette packages. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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