Tuesday November 8, 2005
Tak Nak effort being negated
BY M.KRISHNAMOORTHY
KUALA LUMPUR: Certain cigarette manufacturers are apparently negating the Government's efforts to reduce the number of smokers.
They have put extra cigarettes into each pack and introduced twin packs with new prices as a “promotion.”
An irate Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek described these moves as “sabotaging” the nation’s efforts to promote a healthy lifestyle.
“This is done at the expense of the people’s health. If the need arises, we may fix a minimum price for a specific number of cigarettes in a pack.
“The companies' actions are tantamount to reducing the price of cigarettes through promotion and it defeats the Government’s drive for a smoke-free society,” he said in a recent interview.
Following the tobacco tax increases announced under Budget 2006 in September, two RM7.50 packs of a certain brand were being sold at RM14 while 23-stick packs of another brand were being sold at RM5.50 (the price of a 20-stick pack).
Dr Chua said he had received complaints that some cigarette manufacturers were engaged in a price war.
“It is all right for cigarette companies to compete with each other, but selling more cigarettes for the same price is encouraging smoking and not promoting a healthy lifestyle,” he added.
According to British American Tobacco corporate and regulatory affairs director James Blakelock, the company held special promotions during the festive season.
A cigarette retailer, however, said cigarette manufacturers would soon be engage in a price war.
“If they put more cigarettes into a packet but sell it at the same price, it will work against the Government’s purpose of deterring people from smoking,” he added.
On the introduction of graphic warning labels on cigarette packs to discourage smoking, Dr Chua said he would be meeting with tobacco companies soon.
Singapore, Thailand, Canada, Australia and the European Union already have picture-based warnings on their cigarette packs.
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