Import duty on nicotine gum should be lowered, Khairy says

 

The 15 percent import duty imposed on nicotine gum products should be lowered or total exemption provided as the products help smokers to quit smoking, said Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

He said the Health Ministry currently receives many complaints from pharmacies that bring in nicotine gum products and he will raise the issue with the Royal Malaysian Customs Department and the treasury.

Last Monday, it was reported that the Customs Department will be imposing a 15 percent import duty on every kilogramme of nicotine gum effective June 1.

Nicotine gum products are used by smokers to help them to quit smoking.

In a related development, 28,835 premises were inspected during the enforcement of smoking bans at public places from early January till March 15, Khairy said.

He was speaking at a media conference after officiating the mQuit Masjid Quit Smoking Service Programme in Putrajaya today.

As of April 6, the Health Ministry issued 13,347 notices under the Control of Tobacco Regulations 2004 for smoking in banned areas and underaged smoking, he said.

On the mQUIT Masjid progrmame, Khairy said it started on April 8 and will be continued every Friday at 12 selected mosques, including the National Mosque, and the Federal Territory Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, as well as the Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Mosque and Putra Mosque in Putrajaya.

Currently, 41 participants have signed up for the programme and although the number might be low, it was a positive sign as there were still those who came to the mosque to quit smoking, he added.

- Bernama