MMA Welcomes Higher Duty On Cigarettes

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 30 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) Friday welcomed the increase in duty on cigarettes proposed in the 2006 Budget, and said it would result in more people giving up smoking.
Its president, Datuk Teo Siang Chin, said the higher prices of cigarettes could make people, especially from the low-income group, to smoke less.
"However, the government still has to hold more anti-smoking campaigns to educate the public. An increase in the cigarette price alone will not be successful in reducing the smoking habit," said.
Teo said revenue earned from the increase in the duty on liquor and cigarettes could be used to provide better health facilities for the people.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, when tabling the 2006 Budget in the Dewan Rakyat, announced an increase of duty of nine per cent on liquor and 13 per cent on cigarettes.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation Vice President Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the Government should focus more on efforts to eradicate drug abuse.
"The National Anti-Drug Agency should have been given a bigger allocation, especially for upgrading of facilities at the 29 rehabilitation centres nationwide," he added.
In the 2006 Budget, greater attention is given to social problems like drug addiction, Aids and crime, with Pemadam entrusted with the task of reviewing rehabilitation methods as well as streamlining rehabilitation programmes.
Some RM207 million has been allocated for the National Anti-Drug Agency to carry out programmes on prevention, treatment and rehabilitation as well as to manage the 29 drug rehabilitation centres in the country.