MPs pan 'addiction' reasoning for allowing cigarette sales during lockdown

 

A group of opposition MPs has questioned the government's reasoning for allowing the sale of cigarettes during the "total lockdown" to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.

Deputy Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Rosol Wahid had said cigarettes sale would be allowed even though not an essential good to "avoid problems" with addicts.

However, the MPs said going by that logic, it has been medically proven that there is also alcohol addiction.

"Such reasoning has invited major confusions as it is common knowledge in the medical literature that even alcoholics suffer from addiction and withdrawal symptoms.

"How can the federal government categorise tobacco under essential but not alcohol?" they said.

The joint statement was signed by Upko's Tuaran MP Madius Tangau, Warisan's Penampang MP Darell Leiking and DAP's Kota Kinabalu MP Chan Foong Hin.

Rosol initially said all liquor sales would be prohibited during the total lockdown but later clarified that the suspension would only apply to liquor manufacturing and dedicated liquor stores.

Deputy Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Rosol Wahid

They said there should not be double standards in the treatment of the alcohol and tobacco industries during the total lockdown which started on June 1 and will continue until at least June 14.

"Clearly, the government should not practice double standards here. Both the tobacco industry and alcohol industries are 'sin items' which could cause addictions, shun by religious authorities, and most importantly, both contribute to the public coffer.

"There are no major differences between the two. If so, then why double standards by allowing only cigarette factories and stores to operate?" they said.

They said if the tobacco industry is allowed to operate, then the same treatment should be given to the alcohol industry.

Meanwhile, social media users took to Twitter to complain that convenience stores and supermarkets have cordoned off certain sections of their businesses to prevent the sale of non-essential goods.

They included products such as stationaries, hardware items and hair dyes.

A Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs spokesperson, when contacted, reiterated that the condoning off of the non-essential section was in line with the standard operating procedures announced on May 31.

Such outlets may only sell essential products such as food, groceries and toiletries.

 - Mkini