'Generational End Game' for smoking can be a good idea

I don't smoke, and if you have been following my writing for a while, you would have gathered that not only do I not smoke, I am a pretty big anti-smoking advocate too.

Anytime a sin tax is increased for cigarettes, I am among the first to cheer. Anytime a new anti-smoking campaign comes up, I will support it, provided it is done correctly.

So, the current announcement of the "Generational End Game" by Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin is something that I think is a brilliant idea.

Under the plan, anyone born in 2005 or later will be banned from buying cigarettes. Once this law is enacted, all those who are 17 years now will never be able to buy cigarettes in Malaysia.

As I said, this is a good idea, even though it is obviously taking the lead from New Zealand, whose government is currently trying to enact a similar law that will see all those born in 2008 and later being banned from smoking. There is no problem emulating things from other countries if it is a good move for our own development.

A total outright ban on smoking for everyone would be impossible to do. We have people who have been smoking for decades, and it would not be feasible to make them stop cold turkey or else we would probably be seeing scenes of people being doused with water from a fire engine hose to curb their withdrawal symptoms.

My father, Zainal Abidin Jaffar, was a smoker when I was growing up. He tried to quit once or twice unsuccessfully, but somehow in his 40s, he actually managed to do it. He is in his early 70s now, and I have to admit, he is in good physical shape.

He still goes running, swimming and golfing like normal. He even plays ‘Just Dance’ on the Nintendo with his grandkids. They all know to put on Abba and The Village People to entice him to play!

I know a few other people who are around the same age as my father but never quit smoking. They don't even look like they are in their 70s, but more like in their 100s. They can't even do half the things that my father is still strong enough to do. So I always use that as an example for my kids. They are pretty aware of the dangers of smoking (I hope).

I was also talking to my old neighbour who is now living in Malacca. KC Poo, who we affectionately call Papa Poo, was our neighbour for years and also old in age (hence old neighbour, get it?), doesn't smoke either. And like me, he is very much into sports and used to play rugby at the state level. He is in his 60s, and he is pretty healthy too.

Papa Poo agrees that smoking is bad and we need to curb it, but he doesn't believe a ban is something feasible. According to him, a ban would just encourage the black market further and more contraband will be available. Awareness and education should be emphasised. I do not disagree. Papa Poo has a point.

You can ban something all you want but if the people are into it, they will always find a way.

I also agree that education is what's important to create awareness among people so that they understand the dangers and will not smoke of their own accord. But maybe that will take too long, so a generational ban along with awareness campaigns could be the right combination.

Smoking no longer a status symbol

Decades ago, people saw smoking as something sophisticated that the elite and educated would do. It was seen almost like a status symbol and doing it would be cool.

Remember all the old Marlboro and Salem ads on television? Cool cowboys and happening young people are the ones always smoking.

Today, the perception has changed a little. Smoking is seen as a little bit backwards. If you smoke, you are of the yesteryear generation who aren't as woke as people today.

People don't see smoking as a status symbol anymore. But of course, this perception that I speak of is still a new one and hasn't spread as wide as it should in our society.

So the two-prong approach of having a generational ban and education is ideal. The younger ones born in 2005 and after will most probably already have been exposed to the idea that smoking is dangerous, and when you make it illegal for them to buy cigarettes, it would most likely be that they wouldn't even go to the trouble of obtaining it illegally.

With all that being said, I hope the government won't turn complacent and just because there is a ban (I know it hasn't been enacted yet, but I'm hoping it will), won't continue with aggressive educational and awareness campaigns.

According to the minister, cigarette and tobacco use contributes to 22 percent of deaths due to cancer. So the fight against smoking still has a long way to go. - Mkini

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ZAN AZLEE is a writer, documentary filmmaker, journalist and academic. He had waited so long for a change in the system and he is not willing to settle for a half-past-six change. And then the Sheraton Move happened. Visit fatbidin.com to view his work.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.