MALAYSIA
A lawmaker has suggested in parliament that Malaysia impose a total import ban on cigarettes and make Malaysia the world’s first smoke-free country.
Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) said, “In light of the government’s efforts to ensure non-smokers are free from smoke, why not ban the import of cigarettes altogether so that we can become the first nation in the world to be totally smoke-free so that our people will remain healthy.”
Malaysia currently bans smoking at all eateries and restaurants. Health minister Datuk Seri Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad said the government is taking a soft approach during the initial stage of the ban rather than an “impose and enforce” approach. However, Dzulkefly warned that full enforcement of the ban would be strictly enforced this coming July by 5,008 health officers nationwide.