煙草在線據《星報》報道編譯　　馬來西亞政府被敦促將每包20支裝卷煙的最低價格從當前的7林吉特提高至20林吉特。

　　政府還被要求迫使卷煙生產商和進口商把卷煙的尼古丁和焦油含量從當前的每支1.5毫克到20毫克減少至1毫克到10毫克。

　　這些要求是衛生部最近通過在線參與方式從公眾那里收到的部分意見。

　　衛生部征求公眾對此事的反饋意見以加強《2004年煙草產品控制規定》中的條款。

　　這是衛生部勸阻人們尤其是年輕人染上吸煙習慣的部分努力。

　　馬來西亞政府在今年9月份已把每包20支裝卷煙的最低價格提高至7林吉特。一包20支裝卷煙目前的零售價格為8.7林吉特至10.6林吉特。

　　一些意見反饋者要求把卷煙最低價格提高至近3倍，他們覺得當前的價格對年輕人來說不是障礙。

　　一些人請求衛生部要求雪茄、方頭雪茄和水煙等生產商和進口商在他們的產品上印制吸煙副作用的圖片。

　　目前，只有卷煙生產商被要求這樣做。

　　他們還希望衛生部規定所有的煙草公司和相關產品的進口商把吸煙負面影響的圖片面積從當前占煙盒面積的40%增加至70%。

　　其他建議包括禁止在酒吧、迪斯科、夜總會、賭場、酒店大廳和沒有空調設備的餐飲點等地方吸煙。

　　不過，煙草行業在通過在線參與方式的回復中，反對把尼古丁和焦油含量大幅減少的提議，因為這可能對它們的業務產生不利影響。

　　它們表示，如果這項規定立即執行的話，將對合法的煙草行業產生嚴重影響。

　　煙草行業還表示，如果衛生部要在卷煙盒上增加圖片健康警語的面積，它們需要6個月的通知時間。

　　它們還反對衛生部提議的一項計劃，即要求卷煙生產商和進口商在每支卷煙上印制“吸煙有害健康”的文字，它們表示，這種做法只會有益于非法卷煙貿易。

Malaysia: Increase Price of Cigs, Govt Urged

　　The Government has been urged to increase the minimum price for a pack of 20s cigarettes to RM20 from the present RM7.

　　It has also been asked to compel manufacturers and importers to reduce the nicotine and tar levels to between 1mg and 10mg from the current levels of between 1.5mg and 20mg per stick.

　　These are among the views received by the Health Ministry from the public via online engagement recently.

　　The ministry had solicited public feedback on the matter to strengthen provisions in the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations 2004.

　　This is part of the ministry's efforts to discourage the people, particularly the young, from picking up the habit.

　　The Government had increased the minimum price for a pack of 20s to RM7 in September. A pack of 20s now retails at between RM8.70 and RM10.60.

　　Some respondents had asked for an almost triple increase in the minimum price as they felt the present price was not a deterrent for the young.

　　Some have also asked the ministry to require cigar, cheroot and shisha makers and importers to imprint pictures of the ill-effects of smoking on their products.

　　At present, only cigarette manufacturers are required to do so.

　　They also want the ministry to impose a ruling for all tobacco companies and importers of related products to increase the size of such graphic from the present 40% to 70%.

　　Other suggestions include banning smoking in pubs, discos, night clubs, casinos, hotel lobbies and non-air-conditioned eating outlets.

　　The tobacco industry in its response through the online engagement however opposed the proposal to have the nicotine and tar levels reduced drastically as this could adversely affect business.

　　They said if the ruling was immediately enforced, it could have a severe impact on the legal tobacco industry.

　　The industry said they would also need a six-month notice if the ministry wished to increase the pictorial health warning size on cigarette packs.

　　They are also against a proposed plan by the ministry to require manufacturers and importers to print the words "Smoking is Hazardous to Health" on every cigarette stick saying this would only benefit the illegal cigarette trade. Enditem