KUALA LUMPUR: A majority of Malaysians want the government to ban alcohol, gambling, bars, nightclubs, karaoke joints and the sale of sugary beverages, on top of the proposed smoking and vaping bans announced by health minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
This is based on an online survey conducted by the Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia (PPIM), involving 1,259 respondents.
The survey was conducted to gauge the general public's views on other negative habits for future generations, apart from smoking and vaping.
The findings show that 89 per cent want the government to ban alcohol, 69 per cent want the government to ban the sale of sugary beverages, 86 per cent want the government to ban gambling and 79 per cent want the government to ban nightclubs, karaoke joints, and pubs from operating.
The government recently announced plans to implement a ban on the sale of tobacco products, including vape products, to those born after 2005.
Despite the survey revealing that many also want the government to curb other bad habits, PPIM chief activist Nadzim Johan@Toqqi said the association does not agree with the government's plan to impose blanket bans on the sale and use of products for future generations, even though such proposals are well-intentioned.
Nadzim also believed that such bans could lead to other problems, including increasing the sales of black-market items and other criminal activities.
Apart from being difficult to enforce such bans, it would also burden the enforcement agencies and make criminals of consumers above the age of 18.
"We are also aware that other products and services have a negative impact on consumers. For example, alcohol can destroy a community, sugary drinks can affect one's health, and gambling can cause one to fall into debt.
"And if the government is adamant about banning cigarettes and vaping for health reasons, many have also made it clear that they want the government to curb other negative habits for the coming generation," he said at a press conference here today.
The survey was carried out on the PPIM website for a week and collated input from 1,259 respondents.