Azmer Question 5

Anti-Smoking Campaign at Malaysian?

As a smoker, I have always thought about the damages done by smoking . Even as a smoker, I too support the government's move to discourage smoking among Malaysians.

As a smoker, I perfectly understand how smokers feel and think. The act of imposing higher Tax on ciggarettes can be considered as nonsense. I feel like smokers everywhere are being exploited by this act. Do you know how addicts feel? The ever increasing cost of ciggarettes is not going to stop their smoking habits. People will continue to smoke anyway. This upsets me most because Middle and low income families will be greatly affected, especially if their breadwinner is a smoke addict who will not stop at anything just for another puff.

The way 'they' think : "People are going to smoke anyway, why not make an extra profit out of it, plus, we can cover it up as an anti-smoking campaign". Thus my opinion that smokers are being exploited.

This is my single opinion on the act of increasing the tax imposed on ciggarettes. However, I think if the government is really serious about stopping Malaysians from smoking, they should make smoking illegal. Don't worry, Malaysians won't die if they don't smoke. But, they will if they have to cope with the price of today's ciggarettes.

Making smoking illegal would be an extreme step to take. I for one, haven't been able to completely analyse the consequenses if this step is taken. Hmm... Riots? Nah.. Unemplyoment? I'm sure there are many other better jobs than working in a ciggarette factory. Plus, it is not entirely impossible to provide an alternative industry for these guys.

If smoking is BAD, then why can't we make it illegal? Just as we did to other drugs. If not, let's not make anymore profits out of it. Agree?

Remember, I am a smoker. The Price is Ridiculously-Ridiculous. Guess I won't stop smoking till it's illegal, because I am a smoker, not a criminal. ^_^