Total import ban on cigarettes, to make Malaysia world's first smoke-free country?

KUALA LUMPUR (March 12): Following the smoking ban at all eateries, it was suggested in Parliament today that the country stops importing cigarettes

The Star reports that Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) said: "In light of the government's efforts to ensure non-smokers are free from smoke, why not ban the import of cigarettes altogether so that we can become the first nation in the world to be totally smoke-free so that our people will remain healthy?"

He was asking a supplementary question during Question and Answer Time in the Dewan Rakyat on March 12.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad responded by saying that the proposal could be brought to the Cabinet for consideration.

"Such a proposal must be considered in its entirety. It could be discussed at the appropriate forum and in Cabinet," he said.