| FCTC is a landmark agreement banning all tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, increasing cigarette taxes, obligating the placement of rotating health warnings on cigarette packs, banning the use of misleading terms, stopping sales to children and protecting citizens from exposure to tobacco smoke in workplaces, public transport and indoor public places. With such far-reaching aims and well-defined strategies, it is expected that measures to promote tobacco control are aptly placed to curb or even eliminate such bad habits and practices of users, producers and advertisers. The question is – how does this treaty actually impact upon people’s rights and behaviours in Malaysia? Without doubt, if adopted and implemented rigorously, this treaty has significant potential of affording the protection it seeks to accord and achieving the milestones it hopes to reach. This paper looks into the extent of implementation in Malaysia against the backdrop of practices in other selected jurisdiction. The emphasis will be its impact on children, for affording the best protection for children will invariably accord similar protection for adults alike. Some reference to the role of religion to address the issue, particularly Islam will also be made. Where relevant, recommendations will be adduced in the hope of improving implementation and enforcement of the FCTC. |