JUNE 6 — Having recently returned from a vacation to Thailand, I feel compelled to share my observations on the efficacy of tobacco display bans and their potential implications for Malaysia.
Despite the implementation of a tobacco display ban in Thailand, it was evident that smoking remains prevalent. The local Thais, especially men, would just purchase their cigarettes from 7-Eleven outlets and smoke outside the convenience stores. It is as though the display ban ruling did not exist! Unlike Thailand, Malaysia grapples with a significant illicit cigarette trade, which not only undermines government revenue but also complicates efforts to regulate tobacco sales effectively.
This approach should encompass initiatives such as robust enforcement of existing regulations, targeted public health campaigns, and support for smoking cessation programmes.