THE Health Ministry’s screening of its male employees who smoke is not sexist as alleged by some quarters, Deputy Health Minister Dr Lee Boon Chye has said.
A recent ministry circular on screening its employees who smoke states that all male workers are required to attend the screening, which began today
It involves a breath test to check on carbon monoxide levels as well as a dental check.
Smokers would then be referred to a free quit smoking programme run by the ministry.
“No, it is not about stereotyping and not about being sexist. It is about those who are more vulnerable,” Dr Lee said when asked by reporters about the screening programme.
He said men were generally found to be likely to be smokers
“From statistics, the majority of Malaysian smokers are male. It’s at a four to one ratio, so that is where we are focusing,” said the Gopeng MP in the Parliament lobby.
“In this programme, we screen staff who are smokers and assist them in either reducing or stopping smoking, if possible.”
He said women civil servants in the ministry can also be referred to the screening and urged staff who knew of colleagues who smoked to get screened.
Dr Lee acknowledge that the ministry was doing what it could to discourage smoking but could not ultimately compel those who refused to stop smoking.
“We will do whatever we can to encourage a healthy lifestyle,” he said.
He also urged all employers to organise such programmes to help staff quit smoking. – October 9, 2019.
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