By IANS
Kuala Lumpur : Cigarette packs in Malaysia will soon have graphic pictorial and text warnings on the dangers of smoking to discourage the habit, said Health Minister Liow Tiong.
He said images were more effective than words as the impression would last longer, The Sun daily reported Monday.
“Pictures of the hazards caused by smoking, such as damaged lungs and bad teeth, will be used on cigarette packs. We feel that by putting pictures, we will be able to send a more alarming warning to consumers,” he told the media Sunday.
Liow said the move was in accordance with the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Malaysia is a signatory to the convention.
Malaysia has to ensure that the pictorial warnings are displayed on cigarette packs by November.
“The ministry has met with all cigarette companies in the country and they are supporting the move to send a stronger ‘no smoking’ message to the people,” Liow said.