11.4 pct of Brunei smokers found to be below 17: minister

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, March 19 (Xinhua) -- A survey carried out in 2016 found 19.9 percent of smokers in Brunei are over 18 years old and 11.4 percent of smokers are teenagers under the age of 17, local daily Borneo Bulletin reported on Tuesday.

Brunei's Minister for Health Haji Mohd Isham was quoted as saying that 11.4 percent of smokers, or 4,000 smokers, are teenagers below 17 years old, most of which are male students and some of which are female students.

The minister also mentioned the findings from the Global School-based Students Health Survey in 2014, noting that the study showed the average age of smokers in Brunei is 17, 70 percent of which start smoking at the age of 14 and even as early as seven.

As per the enforcement of rules against underage smoking, the minister said the Tobacco Enforcement Unit of the Ministry of Health will seize any tobacco, vape and smoking-related products from individuals below the age of 18.