People welcome new Tobacco Order
Monday, March 12, 2007
MEMBERS of the public have supported the Ministry of Health's plan to prosecute smokers who ignore no-smoking signs in restricted areas.
The new ruling is set to come into effect under the Tobacco Order by the first quarter or middle of this year, following Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Suyoi Osman, the Minister of Health's comment on unheeded "no-smoking" signs in public places.
The Tobacco Order also includes the possibility of appropriate action that may be taken to reduce shisha-smoking or even a ban on the popular pastime.
Shafee Said, an International School Brunei student, believes that the problem can be tackled by setting up smoking areas or rooms.
"I think they should put up smoking rooms like they have in other countries. The shisha trend is growing in Brunei. I don't think a ban on the activity would matter much ," said the 18-year-old. Imposing a strict age limit for shisha-smokers would be a better proposition than banning the activity, believes Rosinah Husaini, a housewife from Kuala Belait. "It is not necessary to abolish shisha-smoking, but what should be done is imposing a strict age limit for shisha-smokers as to discourage smoking among the youth. I have noticed that some shisha smokers are still quite young," said the 49-year-old.
"Even though I myself am a smoker, I do not agree with people who smoke in restricted areas. Smoking in the restricted areas have the risk of affecting individuals such as children or the ill."
Rayburn Liang, a permanent resident studying at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, pointed out the importance of making the Tobacco Order known to the public.
"If people are caught doing so with babies or pregnant women around, then they need a reminder. It's common sense. However, it is important that the order be made clear to the public, so that people can consciously refrain from smoking in these areas," said the 21-year-old, adding that a ban on shisha-smoking is unnecessary as a number of businesses in Brunei are thriving because of the growing trend.
"Maybe imposing an age limit on smokers would be a good step. I don't think it's good for ineligible youngsters to smoke shisha."
Siti Rafeah Serbini, a student at Cosmopolitan College, said, "If the order is publicised among the public and people are still doing it, then they do deserve to be prosecuted (depending on how harsh the punishment is) just for breaking the rules."
Nurfatimah Ali, a restaurant owner, applauded the Ministry of Health for going ahead with the Tobacco Order.
"Maybe it'll reduce smoking in the country... and if it doesn't, at least others who don't smoke and prefer to not have their lungs ruined by second hand smoke don't have to put up with it."
The Brunei Times
The new ruling is set to come into effect under the Tobacco Order by the first quarter or middle of this year, following Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Suyoi Osman, the Minister of Health's comment on unheeded "no-smoking" signs in public places.
The Tobacco Order also includes the possibility of appropriate action that may be taken to reduce shisha-smoking or even a ban on the popular pastime.
Shafee Said, an International School Brunei student, believes that the problem can be tackled by setting up smoking areas or rooms.
"I think they should put up smoking rooms like they have in other countries. The shisha trend is growing in Brunei. I don't think a ban on the activity would matter much ," said the 18-year-old. Imposing a strict age limit for shisha-smokers would be a better proposition than banning the activity, believes Rosinah Husaini, a housewife from Kuala Belait. "It is not necessary to abolish shisha-smoking, but what should be done is imposing a strict age limit for shisha-smokers as to discourage smoking among the youth. I have noticed that some shisha smokers are still quite young," said the 49-year-old.
"Even though I myself am a smoker, I do not agree with people who smoke in restricted areas. Smoking in the restricted areas have the risk of affecting individuals such as children or the ill."
Rayburn Liang, a permanent resident studying at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, pointed out the importance of making the Tobacco Order known to the public.
"If people are caught doing so with babies or pregnant women around, then they need a reminder. It's common sense. However, it is important that the order be made clear to the public, so that people can consciously refrain from smoking in these areas," said the 21-year-old, adding that a ban on shisha-smoking is unnecessary as a number of businesses in Brunei are thriving because of the growing trend.
"Maybe imposing an age limit on smokers would be a good step. I don't think it's good for ineligible youngsters to smoke shisha."
Siti Rafeah Serbini, a student at Cosmopolitan College, said, "If the order is publicised among the public and people are still doing it, then they do deserve to be prosecuted (depending on how harsh the punishment is) just for breaking the rules."
Nurfatimah Ali, a restaurant owner, applauded the Ministry of Health for going ahead with the Tobacco Order.
"Maybe it'll reduce smoking in the country... and if it doesn't, at least others who don't smoke and prefer to not have their lungs ruined by second hand smoke don't have to put up with it."
The Brunei Times
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