A flip-flop approach to policy enforcement has no place in reducing tobacco use, said the Consumer Association of Penang (CAP) in conjunction with World No Tobacco Day today.

In a statement, CAP urged the health ministry to revert to its original decision to ban the sale of small packs of cigarettes (less than 20 sticks) next month, rather than delay implementation to July next year as announced earlier.

This is in light of the rise in number of smokers between the ages of 12 and 18 who have greater access to cigarettes through the sale of cheaper packs.

"CAP urges (Health Minister) Dr Chua (Soi Lek) to demonstrate the seriousness of his concern about the effects of tobacco on the young by reverting to the original decision where the sale of small packs of cigarettes will be halted by July this year. The industry players have already been given ample warnings and grace periods before the ban was to come into force.

"The minister had also recently pointed out that the tobacco industry is getting around the anti-smoking laws against marketing to the young. He has said that with the top people in advertising, lobbying and public relations in their employment, tobacco companies continue to aggressively market their products to children and teenagers."

Earlier this year, the ministry announced a one-year deferral of the scheduled ban in order to protect local tobacco farmers who have yet to switch to other crops.

CAP also urged the government to increase the price of tobacco products to demonstrate its seriousness in relation to tobacco controls.

It said the World Bank estimates that a 10 percent increase in price can reduce the demand for tobacco products between four to eight percent.

"An annual price increase of 50 percent will send out a clear message that the government is strongly against smoking," CAP said.

Role of health professionals

CAP further said efforts to strengthen tobacco controls should keep in mind the role of health professionals, the focus area of this year's observation of World No Tobacco Day.

"The World Health Organisation (WHO) has pointed out that even brief counselling by health professionals on the dangers of smoking and importance of quitting is one of the most cost- effective methods of reducing the harmful practice."

WHO has also pointed out that the involvement of the governmental health sector is "expected to increase awareness among health personnel and contribute to the development of sustainable tobacco control programmes at the country level".

"Doctors and other health professionals in government service should lead the way in showing the nation the seriousness of tobacco effects and the importance of halting the deadly (habit) of smoking," CAP said.

"Those health professionals who are currently smokers should take the pledge to quit, and set the example for the public to do likewise."

Calling for a more cohesive approach to the issue, CAP highlighted the need for inter-ministerial co-operation.

"The government should act to aggressively phase out tobacco cultivation. Tobacco use needs to be attacked at its source. It is incongruous to see the some ministries launching a fight against tobacco use, while others encourage tobacco planting and applaud when profits from tobacco (sales) rise," it added.

"The message from the health ministry and government as a whole should be strong and clear - (that) tobacco use is serious and the government is going all out to stamp out this deadly habit. The nation will follow its leaders."