Materia Medica Malaysiana

60 youths pick up smoking habit daily

AN AVERAGE of 60 youths pick up the smoking habit daily in the country, Mingguan Malaysia reported.

The newspaper quoted Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad as saying the majority of the smokers would be addicted to the habit upon reaching adulthood.

“The direct and indirect cost of supporting the habit through the buying of cigarettes and lighters and medical treatment is RM5,544 per smoker,” he said.

Dr Abdul Latiff said the rise in the number of young smokers was due to the marketing strategy of cigarette companies.

“The group is easily influenced by the stylish lifestyle portrayed in cigarette advertisements,” he said.