More than a million quit smoking

More than one million smokers in the country have stubbed out their cigarettes for good. And, according to a Universiti Putra Malaysia study, higher cigarette prices are one reason for this.
The findings of the study contradict the commonly held belief that more people are picking up the habit every year. Official statistics had maintained there were five million smokers in the country but the survey indicated the number is actually 3.74 million now.
Between 1996 and last year, 1.1 million smokers had said "Tak Nak".
The study was carried out by the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences of Universiti Putra Malaysia last year. The last such study was conducted by the Health Ministry in 1996.
Lead researcher Associate Prof Dr Lekhraj Rampal of UPM said a 10-month study on the risks of developing cardiovascular disease, which included smoking, showed that about 1.1 million smokers had quit the habit.
"Many people think the number keeps on increasing but in fact it has gone down."
He attributed this to the efforts by the Government and non-governmental organisations in championing anti-smoking and health campaigns.
Malaysia started its "No Smoking" efforts in 1983, before many other countries. These measures, over the years, are now showing fruit.
Dr Rampal said many smokers in the lower-income group had given up the habit because of the frequent increases in prices.
The study, based on interviews with 18,805 respondents aged above 15, also showed smoking trends according to State, sex and racial composition.
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