PETALING JAYA: Malaysian youths are at risk of picking up smoking with a significant number of tobacco retailers located in close proximity to schools.A survey showed that 54% of tobacco retailers in Malaysia were found to be within a 1km radius from schools.
International Islamic Univer颅sity Malaysia鈥檚 Department of Pharmacy Practice Assoc Prof Dr Mohamad Haniki Nik Mohamed noted that about 41% of tobacco retailers within close proximity of schools were convenience stores, independent groceries (32%) and eateries (27%).He said research had also shown that the smoking rate among youths tend to be higher in areas with higher density of tobacco advertisements such as points-of-sales graphics seen at these retailers.He noted that the Asean Tobacco Control Atlas report released last year stated that half of youth smokers who bought cigarettes in a store were not refused purchase despite their age.
鈥淭obacco control strategies must focus on non-smokers, especially children and minors, so that they cannot easily obtain tobacco products through physical access and affordable pricing.鈥淧reventing new smokers is the easiest and most effective in tobacco control,鈥� he said.He said that in general, schools were among the contact points in which youths start smoking due to peer influence and pressure.
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