1 mil Malaysians Quit Smoking?

1mil Quit Smoking

More than a million quit smoking
By Shamini Darshni

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.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

How did UPM did the survey? Interview? Questionaires?

Which part or portion and demographic aspects did they research on? Men, women, children, employees, employers, housewives, pubgirls, nightclubers and GROs?

Over the last one year, I had observed my colleagues, friends, social acquintance, particularly those who are smokers; less than 5% of them quit smoking, only to come back in less than six months, smoking heavier. It include my classmates in law school, my family members, and social acquintances.

This may not be a good reflection of the society at large, but look around all your friends and associates, and see how many of them actually quit smoking. Probably, some may quit buying because of the high taxation.

Cigarette is not expensive, but the tax makes the price high, in the name of discouraging people to smoke. But did it? UPM survey says it did. I am paranoid.

I am not saying cigarette is good and if I can quit, I will. For me, there is a lack of willpower, or for the matter, a lack of need to consider quiting.

Why? Because my father is a heavy smoker and he dies at the age of 78. My grandfather died at 79. I'll am satisfied to get that far. If not, I am equally satisfied to 'GO' earlier; no reason.

'Tak Nak' campaign works? Oh, it works for the consultant and advertiser as this is one way to help them make more money. No smokers care a damn about the advert. If ever smokers quit, it is because of lung cancer looming within him or if a boy quit smoking, it is because his girlfriend won't allow him to kiss her.

So, is the survey result controversial? NO! They surveyed only the non-smokers and cancer patients.

Smoking bad? See how many parliamentarian smokes.