MANY respondents in a survey want the government to ban alcohol, gambling, bars, nightclubs, karaoke joints and sugary beverages, the Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia (PPIM) said.

It said it conducted a week-long online survey of 1,259 respondents to find out what other items and activities should be banned following the Health Ministry’s proposed generational ban on the sale of cigarettes and vape products.

“The survey was carried out to gauge the views of the general public on other negative habits apart from smoking and vaping for future generations.

“Eighty-nine per cent want the government to ban alcohol, 69% want the government to ban the sale of sugary beverages, 86% want the government to ban gambling, and 79% want the government to ban nightclubs, karaoke joints and pubs from operating,” PPIM said in a statement today.

Commenting on the survey’s findings, PPIM chief activist Nadzim Johan said if the government is adamant about banning cigarettes and vape for health reasons, survey respondents have stated that they also want curbs on “other negative habits for the coming generation”.

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin earlier this year announced plans to ban the sale of tobacco products including vape products to those born after 2005.

Nadzim said despite its survey’s findings, the organisation did not agree with blanket bans as this could lead to other problems.

“These include an increase in sales of black-market items and other criminal activities.

“Apart from it being difficult to enforce such bans, it would also burden the enforcement agencies and make criminals of consumers above the age of 18,” he said. – June 8, 2022.