Quit clinic opens in Kuala Lumpur

The National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM) has launched its first ‘Quit Smoking’ clinic at its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, according to a story in The Star.

The society says it aims to become society’s stepping stone towards reducing the impact of tobacco use and tobacco related deaths.

NCSM president and medical director Dr. Saunthari Somasun-daram said the clinic aimed to end Malaysians’ addiction to cigarettes and tobacco and in turn minimize their risk of developing cancer.

In Malaysia, more than 19,100 citizens were killed by tobacco-related diseases every year while more than 126,000 children and 4.7 million adults continued to use tobacco every day. A study by the Health Ministry had shown that tobacco use accounted for 35 percent of in-hospital deaths in Malaysia, mainly from cancer, heart disease and stroke.

Saunthari said non-smokers could help to wean off the habit those of their friends and family members who smoked.

“When I ask non-smokers, why don’t we do something to help smokers, many of them say it is a Malaysian culture,” she said.

“I find that absolutely ridiculous as there is no such culture where tobacco is an integral part of it.

“Those are just excuses we give ourselves to stand still and do nothing,” she said.