The words "Tak Nak" (says NO TO SMOKE) is easily found anywhere in Malaysia as one of the Malaysian government campaign against smoke launched on 2004. Since the government does not have laws to stop smoking, this campaign is an intelligent idea to persuade smokers to stop quit smoking in the line with the country's aim of achieving “zero smokers”.
In my opinion, to make sure this campaign get a good long time results, we must plan a good strategies to stop this bad habit among schoolchildren as the main objectives. “Zero smokers” aim will not be achieved if we can't get “zero smokers” among schoolchildren. In order to achieve that target, a lot of things should be account in our consideration.
Peoples have different reasons why they smoke. In major cases, peoples smoke because of the effect of the surrounding. Schoolchildren easily trapped into this habit. They easily influenced by their friends, parent, idols and advertisement all around. Some of them feel more confident, relax and mature when they smoke. It is true? In fact, there is no scientific research has an evidence to show the relationship between smoke and self confident and maturity.
Some young smokers started smoking because of peer pressure. Daily activities at home and school sometimes give a lot of pressure to schoolchildren. School environments, classroom activities, school laws sometimes give a pressure to the schoolchildren. As a response they get involved in this bad habit in order to release tension. Advertisement in the television, newspaper, books and magazines by the various tobacco companies gives the bad impact to the youngsters.
You might be feeling angry, miserable or stressed with lightning a cigarette, which triggers the mental urge to smoke. Smoking satisfies that urge, causing you to relax, confident, but cigarette is doing nothing for you. Despite, there are some of the harmful effects of smoking. That's the fact smokers already known. Smoke is a gateway to health problems such as asthmas, lung cancer.
Malaysian government has organized “TAK NAK” campaign wisely. At present, all public places such as school, shopping malls, stadium, hospital and lifts are n0-smoking zones. The no-smoking zones also include any other area that has a no-smoking sign. The only country that has introduced a total ban on tobacco use is Bhutan, which has a population of about one million.
Government has organized more grassroots activities especially for children such as conducting spot-checks on students and organizing more awareness program with the help of Education Ministry. Various private agencies give their hand and full support for this campaign. Besides carrying out their regular duties, some community pharmacies and dentist are also taking it upon themselves to help smokers to quit the habit. Some “Quit smoking” clinics were held all around Malaysia.
The other alternative is the ban on cigarette advertising had been helpful. Direct or indirect advertisement by cigarette should be ban especially in sports such as football and F1 and any outdoor activities. The government also should regulate tobacco as a poison under the dangerous drugs act.
