Tobacco.org

Smokers Beware - It's Going To Be Harder 

The National Committee for the Control of Tobacco convened for the first time yesterday to assess the progress of its efforts to achieve the ultimate goal of a completely smoke-free environment.

The committee, chaired by Deputy Minister of Health Pehin Dato Paduka Hj Hazair Hj Abdullah, consists of prominent members from both the government and private sector, including deputy ministers and permanent secretaries from seven different ministries, as well as representatives from various non-government organisations.

In his opening remarks, the Deputy Minister of Health enumerated the committee's objectives, one of which is to produce a generation that not only doesn't smoke, but also detests smokers.

In 2008, the government spent $20.7 million treating chronic illnesses, revealed the deputy minister, describing it as a "burden to the government". . . .

we need to come up with comprehensive short-term and long-term strategies to ensure the effectiveness of tobacco control... including the proper enforcement of the 2005 Tobacco Act," he declared.

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