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World
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| Increase In Prices Of Cigarettes And Alcohol: Mixed views from the public14 September 2004 13 9 Source »»»Yesterday, The Malay Mail took to the streets to find out what most Malaysians feel about the increase. They were also asked on the proposal by the Government to raise the legal age for drinking from 18 to 21. Here are their views: * JENNIFER ANNE, 19, student from Bangsar: “It’s good that the prices have increased. People should smoke and drink less. As for the proposal to move the legal age for drinking to 21, I feel it’s for better as the younger set are not matured enough to hold their drinks.” * MOHD PAVEL TANZIR, 25, bartender of Absolute Chemistry from Ampang: "It’s unfair for smokers to have to pay so much. In a way, it is a blessing in disguise for me as I have decided to quit smoking. As for the increase in alcoholic drinks, it’s a good move to deter the youngsters from drinking as it is a habit that’s hard to break later.” * ZAIDATUL SHIMA HANAFIAH, 32, a cashier from Bangsar: "The price hike is too high and it may just prompt an increase in crimes committed by teenagers. They may start stealing to buy cigarettes and alcohol. On the age limit, 18-year-olds are old enough to drink and the Government should not increase it." * NICHOLAS PROUD, 46, an architect from England: "It is a good move by the Government but it might not reduce the number of smokers. In England, the price is about RM40 a pack, but that did not prevent people from buying cigarettes. On the age limit, I feel that it may not be a good move. What teenagers need are motivation and parental guidance to prevent them from drinking." * MARK CAPEL, 22, businessman from Bangsar: “I am against the price hike but comparatively we Malaysians are still paying the lowest price for cigarettes in the world. The hike will only lead to people getting imitation cigarettes instead. It may backfire. On alcohol, I feel the people are still going to continue drinking no matter what the price is. “As for the proposal to increase the legal age for drinking, it can only work if there is continuous monitoring and enforcement.” * SANTHIYAUSUGENDARAN, 26, sales executive from Petaling Jaya: “I quit smoking yesterday as I decided that I will not pay so much for cigarettes. However, I feel the Government should not have raised the cigarette prices so high. It should have been more reasonable." * NIGEL WATTS, 31, general manager of a software company from New Zealand: "Back home, it’s RM25 per pack but people still smoke. I feel that the price hike will make no difference and people will still buy cigarettes and alcohol. As for raising the legal age for drinking, it will depend on how strictly the authorities can enforce it.” * BAIJU HERO, 43, Absolute Chemistry's owner from Bangsar: "The hike will definitely affect my business. Recently, the Government imposed the ruling that we should stop our operations by 2am and now they have increased the prices for cigarettes and alcohol. This makes it hard for us to continue our business. As for raising the age limit for drinkers, it’s a good move. Sometimes, when the youngsters drink too much, they misbehave and disturb the peace."
Ghaz Ramli and Mohd Yaakob Yusof
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