| Summary: | Background
Prevalence of smoking among minors
is 18.2% in Malaysia. The legal age to buy tobacco products in Malaysia is 18
years and the Government intends to raise the permissible age to 21 years. The aim of the study was to assess the
environment of the shops selling tobacco products about its sale among minors.
The objective also included structured interviews of the sales personal
regarding their knowledge and attitude towards the sale of tobacco products
among minors.
Methods
Two researchers observed 31 shops/restaurants
selling tobacco products (cigarettes/shisha). Shops within 500 meters of schools
and universities were studied. Observations
included presence of signages regarding ban on sales of tobacco products to
minors and also the ban on sale of single sticks/loose cigarettes. Sales person of these shops willing to be interviewed
were administered with a questionnaire and data was collected. Collected data
was analysed using descriptive statistics.
Results
Out
of 31 places, 5 were restaurants catering shisha and 26 were selling cigarettes.
Two restaurants were catering shisha smoking to minors. Among the 26 shops
selling cigarettes only 42.3% (n=11) had a clear signage regarding ban on sales
of tobacco products to minors. Loose cigarettes were sold in 35 %( n=9) of the
shops. Out of 26 shops, only 7 sales person were willing to be interviewed by
the researcher (DDD). All interviewed individuals, were aware about the adverse
health effects of smoking and the legal age to buy tobacco products in
Malaysia. Five sales person agreed that they had sold tobacco products to
minors.
[Descriptive Statistics Showing Signages and sales]
Conclusions
Minors
would be tempted to try tobacco products if strict ban is not enforced.
Even though current laws exist to address the ban of tobacco products among
minors, implementation seems to be weak in the studied locality. The authorities
should monitor sale of tobacco products in future.
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