The government is planning tougher anti-smoking measures that include printing warnings on individual cigarettes and expanding graphic warnings on packs, The Star of Malaysia reported.

Reductions in allowable tar and nicotine levels, to 1.25mg from 1.5mg for nicotine and to 15mg from 20mg per cigarette also will be proposed by the Health Ministry, The Star said in a story citing an unnamed government source.
Cigarette sticks would be printed with the warning “Merokok Membahayakan Kesihatan” (smoking is hazardous to health), to remind smokers of the risks, the source told The Star. Australia’s plain-packaging regulations are being studied, the source reportedly said.
Tobacco companies also may face a ban on advertising that extols the quality of tobacco and flavour in their products, The Star said in a story on its website. (pi)