Beef up enforcement, say NGOs

KUALA LUMPUR: Non-governmental organisations have welcomed the move to increase the age limit to buy and sell cigarettes.

The Consumer Association of Penang said increasing the age limit from 18 to 21 was a good move, but the extent of its effectiveness hinged on enforcement.

Its president, S.M. Mohd Idris, said: “We welcome the move as other countries have also set the age limit at 21 and have successfully reduced the number of smokers. However, enforcement should be beefed up and action taken against offenders.”

Yesterday, Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahya told the Dewan Rakyat that the government would consider raising the age limit to buy and sell cigarettes to 21 from 18.

He said this in response to a supplementary question from Nurul Izzah Anwar (PKR-Lembah Pantai).

Nurul Izzah had asked about efforts by the government to protect non-smokers who were exposed to the effects of cigarette smoke from smokers around them.