Bait Al Amanah co-organised a forum titled “Can Malaysia Quit Like Sweden?” on the 29th of August, featuring public health experts to promote proven Swedish harm reduction strategies for Malaysian smokers to transition to safer alternatives. Geraldine Tong from The Star covered the event.
Despite decades of anti-smoking campaigns and stringent tobacco control measures, 14.6% of Malaysian adults are daily smokers according to The Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2023. This is a concerning statistic given the Malaysian government’s longstanding efforts to address this issue, resulting in the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) which was to heavily regulate smoking products, including conventional cigarettes as well as electronic cigarettes such as vape. However, its implementation has been delayed due to scrutiny over the Generation End Game (GEG) provisions.
Can Malaysia Quit Like Sweden?
While the government's approach has focused primarily on regulation and restrictions, there are valuable lessons to be learned from countries like Sweden whose success in reducing smoking rates is due to a combination of strict tobacco control measures, public education campaigns, and a unique approach to tobacco harm reduction (THR). Unlike Malaysia’s focus on regulation and restrictions, Sweden has embraced alternative tobacco products like snus. While nicotine is addictive, studies have shown that the primary health risks from smoking are due to inhaling toxic smoke from combustible cigarettes, not nicotine.
The Malaysian Experience
Malaysia’s focus on banning and restricting smoking products may not be enough to be sufficient to address the complex issue of smoking.
The country faces significant challenges with illegal cigarettes, which account for over half of all cigarettes sold in Malaysia and the rising popularity of vaping.
To address these challenges, a more nuanced approach combining traditional tobacco control measures with harm reduction strategies is required. This involves promoting safer alternatives like snus and providing comprehensive support for smokers who want to quit. Furthermore, addressing the issue of illegal cigarettes by curbing the smuggling and sale of them is crucial in ensuring the effectiveness of tobacco control measures.
By adopting a more balanced and innovative approach, Malaysia can make significant progress in reducing smoking rates and improving public health, as demonstrated by the success of countries like Sweden.
This article was written by Geraldine Tong in The Star
Photo credit : The Star
Comments