The dangers of smoking and the immediate health benefits to those who quit have been well-rehearsed. Neither are in doubt any longer. The main policy questions that governments around the world are grappling with are how to help more people to quit and how to stop others, particularly the young, from starting in the first place.
Following the suggestion, reported in The National yesterday, that the Ministry of Health is looking into a price increase on packets of cigarettes, there is a strong argument for a three-pronged approach to the problem: raise prices, use advertising deterrents and enforcing existing legislation.
Start with the first. The price of a packet of cigarettes is approximately Dh9, an incredibly low price and one that is especially attractive to teenagers with small amounts of pocket money. Raising it – the Ministry of Health has suggested doubling or tripling the price – could dissuade teenagers from getting hooked and reduce smoking in others. The money recouped by the government could be put into health care, creating a virtuous circle: fewer people will need health care in the future for smoking-related illnesses if they give up, while those who do smoke will be funding better health care.
The next step is vital. Advertising is what makes many teenagers see smoking as a rebellious “cool” activity. By banning any positive depictions of smoking and highlighting the dangerous of smoking in public health information campaigns, that can be reduced. The Ministry of Health has suggested increasing the size of health warnings on cigarette packets. There is an argument to go further and compel all manufacturers to use only plain labels on packets.
Lastly, there is the need to enforce existing legislation that bans smoking in enclosed public spaces, such as malls and restaurants. This is generally followed but needs to be rigorously enforced, otherwise the message of deterrent is diluted.
By taking these three steps, access to cheap tobacco will be reduced, the glamour associated with smoking will be curtailed and the deterrent of public bans will be enforced. It might seem a tough approach to take, but, when tobacco is understood to be such a serious health risk that parents are told never to smoke in front of their children, it is unfortunately necessary.
