The New Straits Times, December 5, 1997
Nov 17, 1997 was a time for all tobacco control advocates in the country, as well as those interested in creating a non-smoking Malaysian community, to rejoice.
It was the day the Government, more specifically the Health Ministry, received the WHO Commemmorative Tobacco or Health Award 1997 from the WHO regional director for the Western Pacific, Dr. S. T. Han. The award is in recognition of the Government's efforts in campaigning against smoking and that its policy is set in the right direction.
Such a prestigious award should give clear signals to other Ministries to fall in line with the Health Ministry in assisting the Government to realise the goal of a tobacco-free society.
The time has come for us as a nation to straighten out our strategy so that the country will not be embarrassed by the practice of double standards.
Also, the award in many ways drives the final nail into the coffin of the debate on "Tobacco or Health" that has been raging over the years.
It is interesting to summarise some of the major points put forward by the tobacco lobbyists in arguing their case for smoking despite the evidence against it.
In the table below are the contrasting viewpoints on the subject.
It is hoped that this summary will put rest some of the dubious arguments for smoking which create unnecessary confusion among the public about the relevance of tobacco products in today's society.
Instead, let us move on and make more efforts to create a Malaysian society that is truly tobacco-free and give all our support to strengthen the resolve of the Health Ministry and the Government in their battle to liberate us from the manipulative influences of the tobacco industry.
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For Tobacco
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For Health
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1. Tobacco has long been accepted as a social norm.
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Not anymore. Today, many societies look down at the smoking habit and consider it a public menace not only because of the health risks involved but also environmental considerations.
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2. Tobacco gives a higher social status and positive image to users.
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The image associated with smoking is largely false and artificially created for purpose of marketing and promotion.
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3. Tobacco and tobacco products can bring good revenue especially to developing countries like Malaysia.
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Revenue for tobacco product is short-live because of the huge expenditures required for treating diseases caused by smoking.
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4.Tobacco smoking is a matter of personal choice and one can stop smoking anytime.
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There is no question of 'choice' because smoking tobacco is known to cause addiction. As such, the success rate of those quitting smoking is very small indeed.
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5. Tobacco in a legitimate commercial product.
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Tobacco is a legitimate commercial product that has a number of under declared health risks. It is impossible to legitimate another product which is as hazardous as tobacco.
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6. Tobacco is not as harmful as it is made out to be.
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Tobacco-related diseases have collectively caused death in the millions. In the next 20 years, more than 100 million people will die as a result of smoking.
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7. Tobacco smoke is not harmful to non-smokers.
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Environmental tobacco smoke can induce a variety of tobacco-related diseases. The US Environmental Protection Agency has classified it a toxic substance.
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8. Tobacco companies are responsible enough to not directly advertise cigarettes to youngsters.
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Internal documents of tobacco companies have shown that this is not so. In fact, most images used locally in so-called indirect advertisements are of youngsters and intended to attract their interest.
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9. The country has laws to control the use of tobacco and tobacco products by the youth.
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The use of tobacco not be discriminated only against youths because the ill effects of tobacco smoking does not discriminate against sex, age or even race. All of us share the same environment.
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10. Without local tobacco growers, the country has to import tobacco products from other countries.
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The import of as well as the local cultivation of tobacco should be discouraged in our pursuit of a smoke-free nation.
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11. There is no substitute crop for tobacco.
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Experiences of other countries and some local studies prove otherwise. It is a question of political will.
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