Is raising tobacco prices effective?

SOME local smokers said that they would continue to purchase cigarettes even if the prices go up, while others believed that raising tobacco prices would help many to quit smoking.

A 32-year-old male who wishes to be known only as Hj Latip said that he would continue to purchase cigarettes as long as he had sufficient income set aside for it.

"They can increase the price but I don't think people will stop buying," he said. "(The habit of) smoking in Brunei has been quite free over the years and it will take a lot of time to change that," he said.

Hj Latip, who is a civil servant, went on to say that since the Tobacco Order was enforced, he observed that there were still many who smoke in public places.

One smoker believes that an increase in cigarette prices would help those who were thinking about kicking the habit.

"I want to quit myself and I just need a strong reason to," said Abang Md Adli, adding that increasing the prices of cigarettes would help him.

The 26-year-old said that if prices were increased, he would switch from having a pack of cigarettes that would last him for two days to a pack which would last him for three.

He anticipated that he would gradually decrease his intake over time, fighting the nicotine addiction until he is able to kick the habit for good.

However, the consultant in the motor vehicle industry said that the raising of cigarette prices could open up a black market for cheaper cigarettes, smuggled into the country from neighbouring states.

Mohd Qusyairi Zainuddin, 19, believes that most Bruneians are "over-addicted" to smoking. However, if cigarette prices were to rise, the people most affected would be those who were without income.

"They would switch to the cheapest (cigarette), but they would regret it after they spend on it," he said.

"I think people who really have financial problems, (especially) teenagers would quit smoking ( as a result of the rise in cigarette prices)," he added.

Despite the enforcement of the smoking ban earlier this year, cigarette smokers are still seen lighting up in public places.