CAP urges the Malaysian government to incorporate graphic images together with a much larger-sized warning labels on cigarette packs.
Malaysia should adoopt this measure as it is a member state of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and has adopted the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Treaty (FCTC).
The FCTC states that since the tobacco industry uses pictures to increase their sales, the same technique should be used to discourage smoking.
Strong, explicit graphics on cigarette packs are the cheapest, direct and most widespread method to educate smokers and potential smokers on the dangers of smoking. The larger and more explicit the graphics, the more effective they will be.
Strong, clear graphics play a major role in making smokers quit. This has been proven in Canada where graphic images cover, in some cases, a whole cigarette pack. They have been highly effective in discouraging smoking.
CAP suggests that the government implements a series of different pictorial cautions along with the relevant warnings on cigarette packs. These warnings should occupy at least half of the top front and back of a cigarette pack and should be in clear and stark colours to enhance visibility.
Also, a series of non-health related warnings on the packs, ie, religious views, money saved, workplace smoking laws etc., would be beneficial to discourage smoking.
CAP urges the government to follow examples set by neighbouring countries with regards to health warnings on cigarette packs.
In Singapore, all cigarette packs carry graphic pictorials with strong warnings clearly printed in vivid colour. They occupy at least 50 percent of the pack's total surface area.
Australia and New Zealand have textual warnings that cover half of the main surface of a cigarette pack as well as an explanation of the warnings.
Thailand has officially announced that it will require picture-based warnings on its cigarette packs.
Smoking has been proven to be a dangerous habit.
If the Malaysian government is serious about its 'Tak Nak' anti-smoking campaign, then the government must make 'hazardous to health' warnings on cigarette packs bigger, bolder and stronger.
The writer is the president of the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP).