Next month’s Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix will be the last time cigarette companies will be able to use the romance of racing to sell their tobacco products in Malaysia.

Health activists here can at least in part thank the World Health Organization’s treaty on tobacco control, which goes into effect Sunday in 40 countries, for prompting the new limits on advertising.

Malaysia is joining a growing list of nations that severely restrict tobacco sponsorship of sporting events — long a favorite publicity playground of cigarette sellers — for public health reasons.

The new anti-tobacco rules are among a slew of steps Malaysia is taking to ban promotion of cigarettes and other products as it prepares to join the WHO treaty.

About 3.6 million of Malaysia’s 25 million people are smokers, and nearly half of adult men light up regularly, according to Health Ministry statistics. About 10,000 people die every year from smoking-related ailments.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi raised taxes on cigarettes by 40 percent in his 2005 budget. The government also has launched a $26 million anti-smoking campaign.

Anti-tobacco activists say the government should also close tobacco farms — a government-supported business in some Malaysian states.

“It is ridiculous to see the health ministry fighting against tobacco while other ministries in the government encourage tobacco planting,” said Idris.

You can see more Smoking Statistics for Malaysia Here.

Source: no-smoking.org