KUCHING: A recently proposed law to ban smoking and possession of smoking products for those born after 2005 is not a punishment.
As such the general public, particularly smokers, have been urged not to regard it that way.
Concerning this, Kuching City South Council (MBKS) mayor, Datuk Wee Hong Seng, said the government proposed the law because it wants the people to be healthy.
“I think that this is what we want – a healthy society to move the country forward.
“If the society is not healthy, then it would be very difficult for this country to progress.
“So I think with this new law, to me, the people should not take it as a way for the government to punish the people. It should be seen the government’s way of taking care of the people,” he said to New Sarawak Tribune in connection with the World Health Day that falls today.
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin on Feb 17 said that the consumption of tobacco products is the main cause of cancer, making up 22 per cent of all deaths from cancer.
As such, he said law would be introduced in order to reduce the exposure of the future generation to cigarettes and tobacco products.
Wee stressed that it was more important to focus on living a healthy lifestyle especially while the COVID-19 is still around.
“COVID-19 virus alone has conquered the world. We cannot wait (for such things to happen) and only act when we have to.
“Most importantly, we need to keep ourselves healthy, build a strong and healthy immune system,” he said.
He added that it is never too late to start staying healthy, which includes having a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and also learning to manage stress well.
“We must remember that the best wealth you have is having good health,” said Wee.
