Tobacco.org

Tobacco Act continues to gain momentum 

AFTER a month of continuous efforts to enforce the Tobacco Act 2005, many establishments and individuals are now more aware of the move by the Ministry of Health, but response has remained mixed about the success of the order.

In an interview with The Brunei Times, college student Shamsul Ali said that the reinforcement of the order this year has significantly reduced the number of people smoking in public places.

He lauded the Tobacco Contol Unit for their work in protecting the well being of non-smokers in the country from the negative effects of tobacco smoke.

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Cook In The Soup Over Whisky And Cigarettes 

A cook was fined $2,770 or one-month imprisonment by the Bandar Magistrate's Court yesterday after he pleaded guilty to having in his possession several bottles of uncustomed alcoholic drinks and more than 100 packets of cigarettes.

Fifty-one-year-old Malaysian Tey Kim Say was deemed to have committed an offence under section 146(1)(d) of the Excise Order 2006 punishable under section 146(1)(i) of the same order for being in possession of three bottles of Scotch whisky, six bottles of white wine, 41 packets of 'Era' cigarettes, 98 packets of `Gudang Garam' cigarettes and 14 packets of `Djarum Super'

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Pollution, cigarette smoke behind rise in sinusitis cases 

Up until 2007, the demand for Otorhinolaryngology (ORL) services has remained strong. In 2007 alone, specialist outpatients attendance at ORL clinics throughout the country recorded 30,316, while 40 Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) were carried out, accounting for 32 per cent of the total nasal operations.

The growing number of sinusitis sufferers may indicate an increasing number of irritants floating in the air we breathe. Studies have contributed pollutions and cigarette smoke as factors partly responsible for the rise in the sinusitis cases. It was noted that while sinusitis is a common disease, its causes are less known to the general public.

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Smoking Hastens Ageing Of The Young  

Senior Health Medical Officer Dr Hjh Budi Rositawati binte Hj Budi Ismail said smoking speeds the ageing process due to diminishing Vitamin A and C in our body by the chemical substances found inside a cigarette.

Teenagers are under the impression that smoking is a habit which makes them appear grown up, she said. Smoking can also cause lack of physical endurance or stamina while carrying out physical or sports activities.

She spoke during the launch of an anti-smoking campaign at Sekolah Menengah Sayyidina Ali (SMSA) in conjunction with the enforcement of Anti-Tobacco order on June 1 this year by the Ministry of Health.

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Restos, Cafes Feel The Heat Of Smoking Ban 

Bandar Seri Begawan - While the air in town seems easier to walk in and breathe because of the smoking ban, the sighs of restaurant and cafe owners are heard throughout with most of them suffering notable losses in their patronage, the first week of the ban.

The coffee culture in Brunei is evident over the weekends in popular spots such as Gadong or Kiulap, but since the smoking ban, which prohibits restaurant patrons to smoke within the restaurant premises, most have opted to go for less obvious restaurants, such as little coffee shops, small unknown restaurants, and so on.

"During my tea break or after work, I'll go to a secluded restaurant at the end of Gadong, or Kiulap or maybe even Bandar, because the restaurant owners there don't stop me from smoking.

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Anti-Smoking Posters Health Notices Distributed In Belait District 

- To support the Ministry of Health's commitment in creating a 100 per cent smoke-free environment, a ceremony was held to distribute 12 types of Tobacco Act 2005 posters and No Smoking notices to 48 government departments and 38 government and private schools in the Belait District yesterday morning.

Present as the guest of honour to distribute the posters and notices was Dato Paduka Awang Serbini bin Haji Ali, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health.

The ceremony was held at the Suri Seri Begawan Hospital in Kuala Belait in the presence of the Deputy Permanent Secretary, Directors, senior government officials and school principals.

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Ministry Of Health Opens Stop-Smoking Clinic 

The Ministry of Health has begun a "Stop Smoking Clinic Service" to assist smokers to wipe out the unhealthy habit. Heads of departments and managers are on hand to assist officers and staff who wish to stop smoking by referring to the clinic.

This was highlighted by Dr Hj Affendy, guest of honour and Director-General of Medical Services of the Ministry of Health, at the distribution of Tobacco Act 2005 posters and `No Smoking' notices to government departments and schools in Temburong yesterday.

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Smoking Can Lower Quality Of Life, Says Minister 

Brunei Darussalam is currently facing an increase in chronic diseases that are non-contagious and preventable, such as cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney diseases and coronary heart diseases.

This was said by Acting Minister of Health Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Paduka Awang Haji Hazair bin Haji Abdullah in a speech during the handover of Tobacco Act 2005 poster and "no smoking" notice yesterday.

The acting minister said the increase is due to the modern way of life, such as eating trends and lack of physical activities as well as smoking habits and the effects of second-hand smoke. . . .

The acting minister also noted the importance of the Tobacco Act 2005, which will be enforced on June 1, as a step to protecting the citizens from the negative effects of tobacco.

Under the act, smoking is not allowed in public places, including government buildings and public transportations.

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Tobacco regulations briefing for retailers, vendors 

Senior officials from the Ministry of Health yesterday held a briefing session for retailers and sundry shop vendors on the Tobacco Act 2005 and Regulations 2007.

Chairing the briefing session was the Acting Director General of Health Services Dr Hjh Kalsom Abd Latif.

On hand to present the briefing to attendees was Dr Hj Zulhilmi POKHP Dato Seri Setia Hj Abdullah, Senior Medical Officer, in his capacity as the Head of the Tobacco Control Unit.

During the session, retailers and vendors were briefed on the regulations of selling cigarettes. . . .

Contents of the Tobacco Act comprise of six main sections - Preliminary, Control of Tobacco Products, Advertising Control, Smoking in Specified Areas and Vehicles, Enforcement and General.

Meanwhile, Regulation of Tobacco contains the Tobacco Regulations (Offences Composition) 2007, Tobacco Regulations (Exporters Licensing, Wholesalers and Sundry Shop Vendors) 2007, Tobacco Notice (Prohibition at Allocated Areas) 2007 and Tobacco Regulations (Labelling) 2007.

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• Imams Decry Smoking  

An increasing number of areas are now prohibited for smokers.

This would emphasise the dangers of puffing especially to passive smokers, religious leaders revealed in their Friday sermon yesterday.

Imams said that the nation has widened areas prohibited for smoking. . . .

"We must obey the constructive advice that calls us to refrain from smoking. It's better to be safe than sorry. We should be able to think and differentiate the good from the bad. We should respect others who use the same facility and should not think selfishly only about one's wishes."

Imams added, "There are many matters that can threaten one's life, one of which is cigarette smoking. The health experts too have supported this theory through research.

"Efforts to awaken the public on its dangers have been repeatedly highlighted in the media and Friday sermons, but have sadly fallen on deaf ears," they said.

Cigarette smoking can still be seen everywhere, be it at prohibited places . . .

Ummah should be grateful for such well being and must not be destroyed. Cigarette smoking may not kill one instantly, but the poison could risk one's life. Hence, cigarette smoking resembles a suicide attempt," the religious leaders said.

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• Tobacco Order Still Flouted Due To Enforcement Delay  

According to related authorities from the Ministry of Health, the Tobacco Order which was supposed to be enforced by February 1, 2008 has been delayed to further notifications due to some amendments currently made by the ministry.

The decision of the new order which has the major support from members of the public is still being discussed by the related authorities from the ministry and will be informed to the public as soon as possible as to why the enforcement is being delayed.

So far, when interviewed by The Brunei Times, some restaurant and cafe owners in the sultanate said that they have not received any letter or notice saying that the enforcement of the order was due to start.

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• Tobacco Order Comes Into Effect From Feb 1 

The Tobacco Order which will be fully enforced by the Ministry of Health next month has the support of many locals in the country. After a final grace period of six months, which had started last August 2007, the Order will come into effect on February 1. The order aims to reduce consumption of "tobacco products" which include cigarettes, cigars or any other forms of tobacco including any mixture containing tobacco. The consumption of such products will be prohibited in public areas.

The order also makes it an offence to smoke in certain public places and vehicles and anyone found guilty of violating the order will face a fine not exceeding $1,000.

Furthermore, the order requires that managers of specified places or an operator of specified vehicles to display notices which states that smoking is prohibited by law.

Also, the purpose of the order is to deter and ultimately eliminate under age smoking which currently is a common habit in the country.

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Stores Need Licence To Sell Cigarettes  

Taking a tough stance in outlawing smoking in public places, the full effect of Tobacco Order in Brunei Darussalam will soon prohibit restaurants and caf�s from selling or allowing the use of any form of tobacco including shisha smoking.

Department and convenience stores in the country will also have to apply for a separate business licence to sell tobacco products. The additional licence is expected to come with an annual fee of $1,200 for importers and $300 for retailers and the full enforcement of the Order is likely to push cigarette prices up.

Display of tobacco at retail shops, prominent tobacco packaging behind cashier tables and self-serving tobacco product displays will also be a thing of the past as cigarettes must be made available for sale in a 'discreet' manner.

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Smoking Zone At Siti Rabiah 

The Ministry of Health is trying its best to educate the public about the dangers of smoking.

Hence, some enterprising restaurants have divided their area for smokers and nonsmokers. . . .

Siti Rabiah Restaurant, which serves Bruneian and western food, just re-opened this week with a smoking zone, complete with a health warning.

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Smokers Need Special Zones Outside Eateries  

Since the enforcement of the Tobacco Order 2005 on August 1 this year which includes no smoking at certain areas including restaurants, most eatery operators in the country have been taking steps by setting up tables and chairs at the foot-way outside their premises as a smoking zone for the convenience of smoking customers.

The owners and staff at restaurants and eating outlets have taken the initiative by putting up "No Smoking" signs inside their premises and even dare to ask smoking customers to move to the allocated smoking zone if they want to light up.

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