BFM 89.9

HIGHLIGHTS 
Podcast  >  Bigger Picture  >  Health & Living  >  Doctor in the House: How The Tobacco Industry Influences Public Health Policies in Asia

Doctor in the House: How The Tobacco Industry Influences Public Health Policies in Asia

Dr George Lee, Consultant Urologist | Dr Mary Assunta, Senior Policy Advisor, Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA)

26-Jan-24 16:00

Doctor in the House: How The Tobacco Industry Influences Public Health Policies in Asia

It’s an open secret that the tobacco industry strongly lobbies governments on public health policies linked to tobacco control, but just how much of an influence do they have? Launched in November last year, the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance’s 4th Asian Tobacco Industry Interference Index measures the extent to which 19 Asian countries are protecting their health policies from tobacco industry interference. Joining consultant urologist Dr George Lee to share more about the Index and what can be done to stop the meddling of the tobacco industry is Dr Mary Assunta, senior policy advisor with SEATCA.

Image credit: Shutterstock Inc.

Produced by: Lim Sue Ann

Presented by: Tee Shiao Eek


This and more than 60,000 other podcasts in your hand. Download the all new BFM mobile app.

Categories:  wellnesshealth policy

Tags:  tabaccothe bigger picturehealth & livingtobacco controlcigarettesnicotinee-cigarettesvapingsoutheast asiapublic healthfctc





Play / Pause

Listen now : Top 5 at 5: A countdown of the 5 biggest stories of...

Today’s Shows



6:00 AM

The 6AM Stretch

Thought-provoking discussions on ideas, people and events shaping our lives.

7:00 AM

World Market Watch

Dilin Wu, Research Strategist, Pepperstone tells us where international markets are heading.

7:15 AM

Morning Brief

We recap global and local headlines from today's papers and portals.

7:30 AM

Morning Brief

Julia Sinitsky, Country Risk Analyst, BMI, a Fitch Solutions company, discusses the geopolitical stakes for Venezuela and other countries.

7:45 AM

Morning Brief

Chin Chee Seong, National President of the SME Association of Malaysia, discusses the postponement of e-invoicing requirements for SMEs with sales between RM1mil and RM5mil a year.

8:00 AM

The Breakfast Grille

Afzan Lutfi, General Manager of Bolt Malaysia, returns to discuss the changes to, and cost of, ride hailing business in Malaysia.

8:30 AM

Morning Brief

Dr James Dorsey, Adjunct Senior Fellow, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies talks about the protests going on in Iran.

8:45 AM

Morning Brief

(REPEAT) Conor Beakey, Head of Latin America Country Risk at BMI, a Fitch Solutions company, discusses the geopolitical stakes for Venezuela and other countries.

9:00 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Dilin Wu, Research Strategist, Pepperstone tells us where international markets are heading.

9:15 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Adrian Loh, Head Of Research, UOB Kay Hian Singapore gives us an outlook on Singapore equities, and strategies investors should be focusing on.

9:35 AM

The Property Show

Dr Chua Yangliang, Head of Research and Consultancy for Southeast Asia at JLL, and Jamie Tan, Managing Director and Head of Valuation and Risk Advisory at JLL Malaysia, discusses the outlook for Malaysia's property market in 2026.

10:05 AM

Open For Business

Private Credit: Necessary Capital or Shadow Banking Bubble? Helicap’s David Z Wang discusses connecting global investors to private debt in SEA amidst a $1.7T global industry boom and the recent collapse of major borrowers like First Brands.

11:00 AM

The Workplace

2026 Salary Outlook: Why a 4.8% Raise Might Not Be Enough. Aon’s Rahul Chawla breaks down why 61% of optimistic firms aren't hiring and how to manage an 18.2% attrition rate in the digital age.

12:00 PM

Enterprise Explores

State of SMEs: Surviving the "Second China Shock." SAMENTA’s Dato’ William Ng reviews a defensive 2025 and why mid-sized firms must pivot from "middlemen" to brand owners to thrive in 2026.

1:00 PM

The Breakfast Grille Repeat

Afzan Lutfi, General Manager of Bolt Malaysia, returns to discuss the changes to, and cost of, ride hailing business in Malaysia

2:05 PM

Discovery Hour

An eclectic selection of BBC shows, curated with variety in mind.

3:05 PM

Earth Matters

4:05 PM

Health & Living

How will children and parents cope with new fears over school violence, social media and mental health in the new year? A psychologist shares tips on how parents can have regular emotional check-ins with their kids.

5:00 PM

Top 5 at 5

A countdown of the 5 biggest stories of the day, to catch you up on all you need to know!

6:00 PM

Big Issue

With TIME Magazine voting AI as their 'Person of the Year' of 2025, we discuss whether the past year has been a turning point for AI, and what 2026 will bring in terms of technological, economical and ethical breakthoughs.

7:00 PM

Stories of KL

We interview Naylisa Husni and Asirah Abdul, the founders of Touch Grass, the community movement all about ditching our phones and reconnecting with nature and each other.

8:00 PM

Cruise Control

Daniel Fernandez, Managing Editor, dsf.my