The viability of instituting a tobacco product display ban is being considered in Malaysia as part of a “generational endgame” strategy to stop smoking, reports The Star.

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said that thorough studies would need to be conducted and stakeholders consulted before any such move would be put into place. If the ban did become a reality like it has in other countries such as Australia, Singapore and Britain, shopkeepers would no longer be allowed to display tobacco products in their shops.
“Among the suggestions is that tobacco products for sale cannot be displayed. There are also proposals for plain packaging on tobacco products, similar to what other countries are doing,” Khairy said.
He went on to say that the provisions for the tobacco product display plan, if approved, would not be inserted in the Bill and that engagement sessions would have to happen with health groups as well as business owners, reports The Star.
“If we are to impose a product display ban, premises owners might need to make modifications to their shops. We will also look at how effective the display ban is in other countries. Once we have completed our study on this, we will make a decision. If we agree to implement the product display ban, we can start transitioning towards the move,” said Khairy.