MALAYSIA: BAN ON SALE OF SMALL PACK CIGARETTES TO TAKE EFFECT ON JAN 1

KUALA LUMPUR, May 29 (Bernama) -- The ban on sale of cigarette packs having
less than 20 sticks per pack will take effect on Jan 1 next year.

Deputy Director-General of Health (Public Health) Dr Hasan Abdul
Rahman said the provision for the ban had been gazetted on Sept 23, 2004 through
the Control of Tobacco Products Regulations 2004.

"It is hoped with this notification, it gives tobacco manufacturers
sufficient time to make the needed changes," he said in a statement here
Saturday.

Dr Hasan said, as practised in many advanced countries, the prohibition was
aimed at restricting access to cigarettes particularly among adolescents and
those in the lower income group.

-- BERNAMA