Tobacco.org

MMEA foil attempt to smuggle cigarettes worth RM117,944  

PONTIAN: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) foiled an attempt to smuggle in cigarettes from a neighbouring country after detaining two men and seizing 1,620 cartons of contraband cigarettes valued at RM117,944 during a raid off Pantai Rambah, here today.

Region Two Marine Operations Force deputy commander Supt N. Kalai Chelvan said marine police on patrol in the area spotted a speedboat heading to Pantai Rambah at 3am.

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DON'T SMOKE IN FRONT OF CHILDREN, SAYS RAJA MUDA OF PERLIS  

The Raja Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail urged smokers not to smoke in front of their children or ask them buy cigarettes for them.

Better still, he said, they should refrain from smoking because the habit is detrimental to their health and to the people around them

He said parents should show good exemple to their children.

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ICA confiscates over 4,000 cartons of cigarettes 

SINGAPORE - A Malaysia-registered lorry that was driven by a 31-year-old Malaysian driver was found to be carrying 4,308 cartons of duty unpaid cigarettes hidden in between the bags of cement.

The driver was attempting to cross into Singapore from Malaysia through the Tuas Checkpoint.

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Tobacco baron's house  

Described as a pioneer in modernist architecture, Sardjono, 49, met his dream client when he was introduced to a tobacco tycoon who was also an ardent collector of contemporary Indonesian art.

Both client and architect didn't fancy building a conventional house and money was no object. Thus, began the epic journey of creating one of Indonesia's most iconic houses in Semarang, Central Java.

Spanning 305sq km, Semarang, with a population of 1.5 million people - at last official count - has been the centre of tobacco, clove and sugar production, since the Dutch colonial era. Naturally, incredible wealth has been generated through the trade of such commodities.

Among the properties held by the art collecting tobacco tycoon - who declined to be named - is a prime plot in the hilly and exclusive enclave of Semarang's Candi district.

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RAHMAN: Fighting Big Tobacco in Malaysia — Fifa Rahman 

In a country where 46 per cent of males smoke, and where the government spends RM20 billion a year treating tobacco-related illnesses, it is imperative that we as a society demand greater health protection, and stronger tobacco laws.

However, in the enactment of tobacco laws to protect public health, and also in the execution of anti-tobacco/pro-health advocacy, there has been a long history of tobacco industry interference which undermines and very often, blocks efforts from materialising altogether. As someone who has had exposure to tobacco policies and regulation, I am fearful that tobacco industry interference is the most significant obstacle that policymakers and anti-tobacco advocates face today. . . .

In addition to the use of biased studies, over the years, the tobacco industry has also been very smart in recruiting influential persons or persons with previous government links to fill positions in their companies. A quick Google search of the Board of Directors of any large tobacco company will reveal names of highly influential persons, recognizable names that make tobacco lobbying just that much stronger.

The WHO provides measures to effectively deal with the tobacco epidemic; these are called the MPOWER measures -- all of which have in the past and currently face tobacco industry interference. These effective measures are: Monitoring of tobacco use; Protection from tobacco smoke; Offer help to cease smoking (cessation techniques); Warning of harms of tobacco use; Enforce advertising bans; and Raise taxes. . . .

In the campaign for smoke-free areas, the tobacco industry employs front-groups such as restaurant owners associations and tourism groups, stating that restaurant business would reduce and tourism would reduce. I could be wrong, but logically persons frequent restaurants for food and touristic areas for scenery and recreational activities -- not to smoke. Furthermore, evidence has proven that in New York, which banned smoking in restaurants, business was not adversely affected. In fact, the New York Restaurant Association and the Restaurant Union President supported smoking bans in restaurants for public health reasons.

The above anecdotes and worldwide experiences show that tobacco industry influence is rife and extremely powerful. As someone who has had tobacco control experience, I can verify as to interference that is alive and well, and that if we don't stand up, we won't just have 45 per cent of male smokers. That figure will increase unless something is done. Political will and the voice of the people will be imperative in defeating tobacco industry lobbying, and ensuring that Malaysians' health is better protected.

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• Greece seizes 20 million contraband cigarettes from Malaysia  

Greek authorities said Monday they have seized some 20 million contraband cigarettes from containers coming from Malaysia at the port of Piraeus.

The seizure took place on Friday thanks to information from British authorities, and a probe was underway to determine the recipient as the name on the transport documents was false, Greek authorities said in a statement. . . .

Greece is often the entry point for contraband cigarettes to Europe

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• Anti-smoking blitz rakes in RM18,750 in compounds  

MIRI: A total of 129 compounds amounting to RM18,750 were issued during the year-long antismoking campaign in 2011.

This was revealed by the Enforcement and Prosecution Unit of the Health Department here.

The notices were issued in 132 premises and locations in and around the city.

Senior assistant environmental health officer Simon Emang said out of the total, 116 were issued to public members puffing away in `No Smoking’ areas.

“Seventy-four were caught within the proximity of Miri Hospital and Polyclinic, 36 at Miri Airport and one at a government premises.

“Five of them were minors caught in the act and for possessing cigarettes, and 13 were traders for selling the cigarettes below the minimum prices and without the pictorial health warning,” Simon told The Borneo Post yesterday.

Under the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations 2004, compound fees are RM250 each for adults and RM50 for minors.

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• Contraband cigarettes sellers may have licence revoked 

The government is considering a proposal to have the licences of retailers who sell contraband cigarettes revoked.

Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung said the government is looking into the proposal made by the tobacco industry last year.

It is learnt that the Confederation of Malaysian Tobacco Manufacturers had made the proposal to the ministry in a memorandum last year as a possible measure to help stamp out the sale of contraband cigarettes.

"We are looking into it," Chor told theSun. He said however that if at all such measures are to be adopted, the power to revoke the licences of errant retailers lie within the purview of the local authorities.

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Cigarettes worth RM888,000 seized 

The Kedah Customs Department detained a lorry driver with 6,390 cartons of contraband cigarettes worth RM888,296, including unpaid duties, at Km35 near the Jitra toll plaza on Wednesday.

Its director, Datuk Abd Aziz Abdul Latif, said following a tip-off, an enforcement team stopped the three-tonne lorry at 7.35pm and seized the contraband kept in 111 boxes.

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Popular cigarette brand undergoes makeover  

Japan Tobacco is to launch redesigned versions of seven of its popular Pianissimo brand of cigarettes in mid-January.

Pianissimo is the top-selling brand in Japan's 100mm slim menthol category and has proven particularly popular among female smokers for what Japan's largest tobacco company says is a "smooth, unassertive and refreshing menthol flavour and aroma." . . .

As part of its campaign to win new customers -- as well as retaining its existing consumers -- Japan Tobacco revamped its Cabin collection in September to make it a "cigarette brand for sophisticated adults."

Now it is the turn of seven Pianissimo products to be repackaged, while four will be given new names.

Pianissimo One is to be renamed Aria Menthol, "an operatic term signifying an airy melodic solo," the company said, while the new white packaging and waterlines are meant to symbolise the "gentle, soft character of the product."

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Marine force seized smuggled cigarette worth RM90,000  

The Marine Operations Force (PGM) seized 8,000 packets of cigarettes worth RM90,000 which were being smuggled into the district yesterday.

Deputy District police chief Supt Fadzil Mohd Ali said the seizure was carried out when members of PGM stopped a speed boat in the waters of Terusan Duyung at 6.10pm.

He said despite been flagged down, the speed boat refused to stop but it lost control and crashed into a mangrove swamp nearby.

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• 60% of underage smokers caught are girls 

GEORGE TOWN: About 60% of the 359 underage people caught smoking over the past 11 months in Penang were girls.

Penang Health, Welfare, Caring Society and Environmental Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said the figure was alarming.

"We have to ensure that juveniles are not exposed to smoking," he said.

Phee warned that those who offer or sell cigarettes to underage children are liable to a minimum RM10,000 compound.

"The local councils also have the right to withdraw their operating licence," he added in an interview.

As for those smoking in prohibited areas, Phee said they would be asked to give their particulars which would go into a database. . . .

Phee said he had also appealed to the Health Ministry and discussed with the National Poison Centre in Universiti Sains Malaysia to monitor the air quality in enclosed areas such as shopping malls and restaurants.

"The university, with the assistance of the local council, can conduct an air quality study in shopping complexes and other enclosed areas and display the reading in a prominent place.

"The public can then decide if they want to enter the premises.

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Biggest haul of contraband cigarettes worth RM55m  

It was supposed to be a shipment of building materials but it landed Selangor Customs Department its biggest seizure of contraband cigarettes in five years worth RM55.1 million, inclusive of RM46 million in unpaid duty.

The department made the big "catch" early Monday morning following a two-week surveillance, starting from Penang.

State Customs director Datuk Azis Yacub said his men checked 12 containers on board CSAV Pyrennes when it berthed at Port Klang. . . .

Azis said those responsible could be fined a maximum of 20 times the amount of duty defaulted, or three years jail, or both, adding Selangor had contributed more than 30 per cent of the total duties collected from defaulters nationwide.

He urged the public to provide information on smuggling activities.

"The identity of whistleblowers will be kept secret and they will be rewarded accordingly."

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LETTER: Smokers just keep puffing away 

EVERY day we meet a lot of people and if they are smokers they seem to be oblivious to the feelings of non-smokers.

Wherever we go we are sure to see people smoking. In restaurants we see separate areas for smokers and non-smokers.

I do not see what difference this makes when the restaurant is fully air-conditioned. Because the smoke is exhausted and returned through the air-conditioning ducts.

That is a clear sign that the non-smokers are turned into passive smokers.

We see fathers driving with a cigarette in their mouth with children in the car not realising the danger they are causing to them. . . .

This has to stop because people must be civilised and responsible to understand that they can't do what they want.

I hope the relevant authorities will come out with efficient regulations and control the smoking zones as well.

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RM12,000 fags in underground room 

Customs Department personnel discovered to their surprise an underground room where about RM12,000 worth of contraband cigarettes were hidden while they were raiding a house in Kampung Kadazan Kunak.

The two-metre high room, which was built specially to store contraband cigarettes, was discovered after the raiding team had failed to find any cigarettes elsewhere in the house.

In the 2pm raid recently, the team also arrested a man, believed to be the house owner, and seized all the 30 boxes of cigarettes of various brands.

Sabah Acting Customs Director Janathan Kandok, who revealed this yesterday, said they raided the house after receiving a tip-off about contraband cigarettes being stored in the house.

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