Introduction
Few would dispute that prolonged smoking is harmful to human health. Since the latter half of the 20th century, there has been overwhelming scientific evidence published establishing the link between tobacco consumption and various diseases, particularly cancers1. Considering the strength of the evidence available, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a World Health Organization (WHO) institution, officially classified tobacco as carcinogenic to humans in 19862.
However, to this day, disagreements remain on whether the government should have a role in regulating behaviours such as smoking, or whether this space should remain as the individual’s personal choice in which the government should have limited reach. This article looks at this debate by examining the public health and economic rationale for tobacco control, Malaysia’s commitments and regulations relating to tobacco control, and concerns regarding government intervention in this area.
Public health rationale for tobacco control
More than ever, Malaysians are dying because of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). These diseases, such as heart disease and cancers, constitute the leading causes of medically-certified deaths in Malaysia3 (see Chart 1). Many of these NCDs are often associated with lifestyle choices including tobacco smoking, and as such, are considered to be preventable.