Brunei - briefing on hazards of smoking for Department of Youth and Sports officers..

August 24, 2010 - During yesterday's briefing on the hazards of smoking for Department of Youth and Sports officers, it was disclosed that a total of 15 students under the age of 18 had been caught smoking in public this year and ordered to undergo mandatory treatment at a smoking cessation clinic. As many as 50 officers and staff of the Department of Youth and Sports attended the briefing which covered multiple aspects of the dangers of smoking and highlights the steps a smoker can take to stop smoking.

Dk Nurzafiftah Pg Asmadi, a senior nurse at the Health Promotion Centre, said that research showed that students who smoke are three times more likely to consume alcohol, eight times more likely to smoke marijuana and 22 times more likely to abuse cocaine.

It is illegal for people under the age of 18 to smoke in Brunei and the Ministry of Health (MoH) has also implemented a smoking ban in public places, including restaurants, schools, government buildings, bus stations and sidewalks. People who flout the ban will be issued an on-the-spot fine of $150. However, underage offenders are given a reprieve and sent to counselling first. If they are caught smoking in public a second time, they will be fined. (MoH vows to strictly enforce Tobacco Order, Quratul-Ain Bandial BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, The Brunei Times, 6/20/2010)
Crackdown on teenage smokers, Quratul-Ain Bandial and Koo Jin Shen BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Tutong, The Brunei Times, 8/22/2010.

Related news briefs:
Brunei - seems like smokers to avoid fines want designated smoking area..;
Brunei - smoking ban looks like it will work - ENFORCEMENT STRONG..;
Brunei - An imam blasts tactics to keep people addicted to nicotine..;
Brunei - smoking top cause of cancer death..;
Brunei - national tobacco control panel to create smoke-free society..