LETTERS: The Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2023 revealed a striking trend: despite the availability of cessation aid, the smoking habits of adult smokers have remained stubbornly stagnant.
The data indicate that personal choices matter. If an individual does not want to quit smoking, no external intervention will lead to lasting change.
Let's draw a parallel with the obesity epidemic. Governments worldwide emphasise the perils of excessive sugar consumption and advocate for healthier lifestyles.
In our case, the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023 shows a nearly 10 per cent increase in the prevalence of excess weight and obesity between 2011 and last year.
Worryingly, the World Obesity Foundation predicts that more than two out of every three children in Malaysia will be overweight by 2035.
These data highlight a common thread: it is all about personal choices. For someone to change, willpower and the desire to change play a crucial role.
If people do not want to reduce sugar intake, no amount of external pressure will alter their behaviour.
Thus, if people want to quit smoking, they will. Similarly, those committed to a healthy life will reduce sugar intake and engage in physical activity, as advised by health experts.
In other words, no amount of nagging and pestering can sway these intrinsic choices.
Given that personal choice matters, education holds the key to helping individuals make informed decisions.
By providing diverse perspectives and fostering critical thinking, we empower people to make the right choices and decisions for themselves.
For example, addressing the harmful effects of excessive sugar consumption isn't enough. We should also educate consumers about alternatives to white sugar, such as stevia or honey.
Perhaps, rewarding consumers or imposing lower taxes on consumers, opting for alternatives like stevia and honey, or even adjusting sugar levels (full sugar, half sugar or slight sugar) can be considered.
Apply the same approach too when it comes to smoking. Drastically addressing the harmful effects of cigarette smoking is insufficient.
Generally speaking, I think we do recognise the fact that some smokers do not wish to quit. So, it is essential to explore alternative options.
While e-cigarettes have become increasingly popular, with recent GATS data showing the prevalence of e-cigarette use among people aged 15 to 24 surging from 1.1 per cent in 2011 to 8.6 per cent in 2023, the risks of e-cigarettes are not widely understood.
Therefore, there should be different approaches in terms of educating the public. Providing accurate information can empower individuals to make informed decisions about their tobacco use and sugar intake.
VANESSA MAY
Kuala Lumpur
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times