Where smoking is involved, Malaysia is unable to 'walk its talk'.

Efforts to eradicate the smoking culture among Malaysians have had little impact to date - one in four has taken up smoking and of the six million smokers, 20 percent are between the ages of 12 and 18.

These figures, released recently by Public Health Specialists Association of Malaysia president Professor Dr Syed Mohamed Aljunid - if read between the lines - could lead to two alarming conclusions.

Firstly, a large number of Malaysians are addicted to nicotine and secondly, the government has not performed as expected in tackling the problem of cigarette smoking.

One example of this is the delay in implementing measures outlined under the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) which Malaysia signed last year.

Each year, Malaysia records about 10,000 deaths that are related to smoking. Even children as young as seven are trying out cigarettes, according to the Malaysian Medical Association.

Although it is general knowledge that smoking can cause lung cancer, hypertension, gastric ulcers and heart diseases, smokers and potential smokers appear to be unafraid of the hazards.

Studies have shown that male and female smokers cut short their lives by an average of 13.2 years and 14. 5 years respectively. Yet, there is still no downward trend when it comes to smoking.

Hypocritical approach

In the past, the government has sponsored programmes to educate people on the dangers of smoking. This year, for the first time, it has embarked on a no-tobacco programme that will cost the nation a hefty RM100 million over a five-year period.

The 'Tak Nak' campaign will relay the message that smoking is bad for health. In addition, another campaign is being undertaken by the Malaysian Association of Youth Clubs together with British American Tobacco Bhd and Japan Tobacco International Bhd.

However, no-tobacco activists see these as merely propaganda moves.

Professor Dzulkifli Abdul Razak, the vice-chancellor of Universiti Sains Malaysia and former head of the National Poison Centre, is of the opinion that the entire effort to eradicate smoking is nothing short of haphazard.

The concerns of activists are based on their frustration that the government seems unable to restrict or ban the sale of cigarettes, either by removing such products from the shelves or by licensing the sale of tobacco products.

They say that, until and unless this is done, little will be achieved by anti-smoking campaigns alone.

The government has also contradicted its stand on smoking by endorsing advertisements in the media, warning the public against buying smuggled cigarettes.

These ads, which have the backing of the Customs department, may be aimed at preventing loss of revenue through the sale of smuggled cigarettes, but are also an example of ambiguity in the government's stand against tobacco use.

Political will

Countries like Thailand, Singapore and Ireland have laudable tobacco-control regulations but Malaysia is lagging in this respect, indicating poor political will.

Why is there reservation about adopting a punitive attitude in eradicating the smoking habit? Why are those in positions of power dragging their feet in enforcing prohibitions on the sale of cigarettes to those below 18?

Just how successful have we been in preventing smokers from lighting up in no-smoking zones?

Also, is there really no hidden agenda in the way the government has carried out its no-smoking campaigns?

If it is genuine, then why its reluctance to adopt conditions set by the World Health Organisation (WHO) under the FCTC, which former Health Minister Chua Jui Meng signed last year?

The FCTC serves as a first international treaty initiated and adopted by WHO. It sets global standards for tobacco control in terms of advertising, sponsorship, tax and price increases, labelling, illicit trade and second-hand smoke.

Under FCTC, Malaysia is obliged to ban all forms of cigarette promotions, to implement stringent provisions for tobacco control, and introduce national policies that give priority to public health.

Being a signatory to FCTC is no cause for joy for Malaysia, unless it also adopts the provisions of the convention.

JJ RAY started her career with a mainstream publication. A non-conformist, she soon saw the barriers that went up whenever, through her writing, she tried to make the world a home for one and all.