I-Medik against re-introduction of ‘kiddie packs’

KUALA LUMPUR: Ikatan Pengamal Perubatan dan Kesihatan Muslim Malaysia ( IMedik), an alliance of Muslim health practitioners, does not want ‘ kiddie pack’ cigarettes ( pack of 10 sticks) to be reintroduced in the market.

Its Vape and Tobacco Control Unit head Dr Ahmad Farid Nazmi in a statement here yesterday said that the proposal by industry lobbyists calling for re-introduction of kiddie packs was a backward move and not a solution to check the smoking habit in the country.

He said the proposal was against Article 16 of the World Health Organisation’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control enforced by Malaysia in 2010.

“The support of all groups both from the public and private sector is greatly needed to ensure there is no reversal,” he said.

On Wednesday, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S Subramaniam said the government would in no way support the proposal which the lobbyists claimed would help check sale of illicit cigarettes.

The lobbyists claimed smokers were opting for illicit cigarettes because the 20- stick packets in the market currently were way too expensive. — Bernama

The support of all groups both from the public and private sector is greatly needed to ensure there is no reversal. Dr Ahmad Farid Nazmi, I-Medik Vape and Tobacco Control Unit head