MCA has lauded the government’s recent initiative to ban the display of tobacco products at sales counters, calling it a step towards reducing cigarette consumption while also minimising its harmful effects on public health.
Party vice president Datuk Lawrence Low said the ban is expected to assist in reducing the rate of teenagers picking up smoking habits as they have been tempted to try smoking due to easy access to tobacco products.
He said the ban will also help raise public awareness on the risks of smoking such as heart disease, lung cancer and other respiratory issues.
“The Health Ministry (MOH) stated that the most suitable method for implementing this ban is through the provision of closed display cabinets, rather than using cloth or canvas coverings,” Low remarked.
“Therefore, MCA believes it is reasonable for tobacco companies to bear the cost of these closed cabinets to store their products, rather than this cost being borne by business owners or shopkeepers.
“Tobacco companies profit from the sale of their products, so it is only fair that they should consider covering the costs associated with regulations and policies related to the management of their products.”
Low further rationalised that the cost of providing these closed cabinets is unlikely to be a significant burden for large tobacco companies and could be regarded as an operational or handling cost.
“This also creates a win-win situation, where companies can still distribute their products in accordance with the laws set by the government.”
The MOH, in a statement yesterday (March 25), said the implementation of the ban, which will affect more than 51,000 stores that sell these products, will now be carried out in phases.
The implementation will now be phased in, with the deadline for full compliance now revised to Oct 1 this year.
Rule 6 of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health (Control of Sale) Regulations 2024, which prohibits the display of tobacco products at sales counters, was initially to be enforced from April 1.
This follows the enforcement of the Tobacco Product Control for Public Health Act 2024, along with its related regulations and orders, beginning Oct 1, 2024. – Focus Malaysia
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