Most M’sians want to see alcohol, gambling and sugary drinks banned, claims PPIM survey

KUALA LUMPUR – Following the hoo-ha over the upcoming Bon Odori festival, an online survey is now claiming that Malaysians want “unhealthy” lifestyles such as gambling, alcohol, smoking, and sugary beverages to be banned, reported Focus Malaysia.

This comes after Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin’s proposal to ban the sale of cigarettes and vape to those born after 2005, saying that it was part of the government’s “generational endgame to smoking”.

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PPIM: Blanket bans ineffective

The survey, which was carried out by the Muslim Consumer Association of Malaysia (PPIM), saw a total of 1,259 respondents giving their views on such forms of negative habits. However, their background remains unknown.

According to the survey’s results, 89% want the government to ban alcohol while 69% want the sales of sugary beverages to be banned too.

The survey also found that 86% of respondents want the government to ban gambling, while 79% want nightclubs, karaoke joints and pubs to be banned.

PPIM chief activist Datuk Nadzim Johan said that while Khairy’s proposal stemmed from good intentions, the association does not agree with with the implementation of blanket bans on the sale and use of products for future generations.

He also added that such bans will lead to an increase of illegal activities and the sale of items in the black market.

Aside from the difficulties of enforcing such bans, it will also make the burden of enforcement agencies even heavier and turn consumers aged above 18 into criminals.

“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,” he said at a press conference yesterday (June 9).

Nadzim said that if the government still wants to pursue its ban on cigarettes and vape, it should also heed the public’s wishes in outlawing other forms of negative habits as well.

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Cover image via Sinar Harian, DreamsTime & iStock