I refer to the letter Cigarette sponsorship: Stub out Mafa's plan now

The WHO states that scientific evidence has unequivocally established that tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke cause death, disease and disability. In simple terms, tobacco products kill when they are used as directed by the manufacturers.

The government must stop any attempt to deceive the public of the devastating effects of tobacco use. Thus, sponsorship and promotion of tobacco products through any means must be banned without exemptions.

Malacca Football Association (Mafa) president Mohd Ali Rustam, however, raised an important issue when he pointed out that sponsorship by the alcohol industry is allowed.

It is indeed apparent of late that promotion by the alcohol industry has increased. If this goes unchecked, it will lead to more problems, including alcoholism, motor vehicle accidents due to drunk driving and other social ills.

Clearly the public must be protected from the harmful effects of tobacco, alcohol and other illicit drugs. The government must urgently reconsider having the dedicated 'sin tax' system for tobacco and alcohol for health promotion related activities, including sports, etc.

By doing this, we hope that Mafa or other similar associations would not turn to the tobacco or alcohol industry for sponsorship.

'Sin tax' is specifically levied on certain generally socially-proscribed goods - usually alcohol and tobacco. 'Sin taxes' are often enacted to fund special projects, such as health promotion. It is practiced in other countries such as Thailand. Thailand was one of the first countries in the world to introduce a 2% earmarked 'sin tax' from tobacco and alcohol to support health promotion.

The Thai Health Promotion Fund was established through the Health Promotion Act. In Malaysia, the cabinet previously decided against having a dedicated 'sin tax' on tobacco and alcohol, but allocated RM50 million as an initial grant to the Health Promotion Boards

The writer is head, pharmacy practice department, Islamic International University, Kuantan.