The scheduled ban on small cigarette packs was deferred to protect the interest of local tobacco growers, said Health Ministry parliamentary secretary Lee Kah Choon today.

"According to the statistics given by the Economy Planning Unit, a few hundred farmers are involved in the tobacco industry," he told reporters at the parliament lobby.

The ban which was to come into effect this June, has been postponed to next June. This raised a wave of protest, with concerned groups accusing the government of protecting tobacco companies.

'Look at the whole picture'

On the protest, Lee said the government also needs to consider the interests of tobacco farmers in the long.

"You have to be fair, have to look at the whole picture," he added

He said the ministry will be working closely with the plantation industries and commodities ministry to ensure that tobacco growers will switch to other crops.

Lee added that the ministry will continue conducting anti-smoking campaigns while the ban on cigarette advertisements in coffee shops and restaurants will not be revoked.

Utusan Malaysia reported today that there will be an increase of one to two percent in Bursa Malaysia for major tobacco players - British American Tobacco (M) Bhd and JT International Bhd - following the deferment.

Cigarettes in Malaysia are commonly sold in packs of 10, 14 and 20.