Public Health: Smoking Cessation Up in Smoke?

Despite decades of public health education on the dangers of smoking, an estimated 21% of Malaysians today - that’s 1 in 5 people - still smoke. On top of that, we now have vaping to contend with as well, with more people picking it up as a new habit or as a way to quit smoking. With the introduction of a tax on e-cigarettes in Budget 2022, does this mean e-cigarettes should be used as an alternative to cigarettes, or do we need to revisit the basics of smoking cessation strategies? We discuss the public health perspective of tobacco control, with Azrul Mohd Khalib, CEO, Galen Centre for Health & Social Policy; and Prof Dr Mohamad Haniki Nik Mohamad, Kulliyyah of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Malaysia.

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