By: Azaraimy HH
Date: Monday, 2 June, 2008
Source: Borneo Bulletin

'No Smoking' sign at a shop'

As tough new laws on the sale and promotion of tobacco products came into force yesterday, retailers particularly confectionary and convenient stores were seen taking steps to fall in line with the regulations by limiting point of sale publicity and ensuring that no underage person is allowed to buy these products.

This comes in the wake of a major action plan by the Ministry of Health to dissuade people of the smoking habit while promoting a healthy lifestyle.

"Prevention is better than cure," said the Acting Minister of Health Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Paduka Awang Haji Hazair bin Haji Abdullah during the launching of posters and no smoking campaign on May 24th.

"The Tobacco Act of 2005 which will be enforced on June 1 is a step towards safeguarding the public against the negative impact of smoking and the use of tobacco products", he added.

With the June 1st enforcement of the Tobacco Order, it is now illegal not only to sell but also to give or supply any tobacco products to those below age of 18 years.

Under section 9 of the order, sale of any tobacco products to a person below the age of 18 years, will make the culprit pay a fine not exceeding $5,000 and $10,000 for subsequent convictions.

Under section 6, sale of articles designed to resemble tobacco is also subject to a fine of not exceeding $5,000 or $10,000 for subsequent convictions.

Under section 7 & 8, sales promotion via sponsorship free gift, distribution of any free sample tobacco products is punishable by fine exceeding $10,000, imprisonment not exceeding six years or both with $20,000 for subsequent convictions.

If anyone below the age of 18, smokes or chews any tobacco in public places, or has in his possession any tobacco products whether for his own use or not, would be liable for punishment with a fine not exceeding $500 and $1000 for subsequent convictions.

Brunei has been actively promoting anti-smoking campaigns since 1988 with the aim of increasing public knowledge and awareness on the negative effects of smoking.

In 2005, a new and more stringent order came into force under the Tobacco Act 2005, prohibiting advertisement, imposing tobacco imports control, as well as the control on the sale of tobacco products and prohibiting the sale of tobacco to underage persons.

Under the stringent Order, prohibition of smoking in specified places and vehicles has also been enforced, where manager / operator is required to display suitable, sufficient number of adequate size notices in conspicuous positions stating to the effect "Smoking is prohibited by Law".

One shopkeeper who wished to be known as VJ said they actually started telling customers days before the June 1st enforcement, to get them aware and ready.

"We told our regular customers days before today," VJ said, adding that, "we usually know our customers well, because goods like tobacco tend to have frequent customers. We also had underage customers who we turned away a few days ago".

VJ a degree holder from India praised the government's move to take stringent measures such as this.

He said they began limiting cigarette display drastically yesterday, where only one box for each brand will be allowed on the display shelves according to the rule.

"Take for example Marlboro which has many flavours. We only need to choose one of these flavours to put on the shelf, to tell our customers we do have Marlboro brand here. In this case, at this time we chose Marlboro Menthol Lights for the display and we only allow one box," he added.

Places under the Order include government premises including hospitals, health centres and clinics, industrial or recreational premises, education institutions, public service vehicles etc.

Meanwhile, tobacco advertisements in the media have been withdrawn several years ago.

Radio Television Brunei (RTB) had banned the broadcast of smoking advertisements since 1972 and on August 15 1990, the Ministry of Health proclaimed all buildings under the ministry including offices, hospitals and clinics as No Smoking Zones while on September 1, 1994, it became applicable to all government buildings.

According to the Customs Act 1990, with effect from January 1, 1991, cigarettes without health warnings on the pack were not allowed in the Sultanate and all schools were proclaimed tobacco free zones since January 1, 2002.

The Brunei International Airport, meanwhile, implemented 'smoke free flights' on April 1, 1998 and has prohibited smoking in the airport since 1999.

As a responsibility of the country to enforce the Tobacco Act 2005 Ministry of Health has formed a special, Tobacco Control Unit on July 17, 2007 under the Health Services Department.

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