Response to quit smoking programme ‘mQuit’ encouraging - Dr Dzulkefly

Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad

PUTRAJAYA, March 5 (Bernama) -- One hundred and forty-three smokers registered for the smoking cessation counselling service ‘mQuit’ provided by the Health Ministry, from January to the second week of February this year.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the awareness among smokers was due to food premises having been gazetted as no-smoking zones, effective from Jan 1.

“This is an overwhelming response and I feel that gazetting eateries as no-smoking areas is a positive move, to improve the health of all Malaysians.

“I believe the ban which is prohibitive in nature, when combined with the mQuit programme that is  promotive, will help inculcate non-smoking  practices as well as assist in achieving a smoke-free state,” he said after officiating a quit smoking mQuit service at a hotel here today.

To date, the quit smoking service is offered at 731 health clinics, 46 government hospitals and 164 private facilities which have been granted accreditation.

Those who wish to have counselling services to quit smoking either in public or private facilities can register at jomquit.moh.gov.my website.

Asked about the smokers who were still smoking at food premises until now, Dr Dzulkefly said it only involved 12 per cent of smokers, while 88 per cent agreed with the ban.

-- BERNAMA