Kuala Lampur, March 14 -- The government's decision to implement a tobacco retail display ban may be well-intentioned, but it poses serious economic risks for small retailers. While reducing smoking rates is a commendable goal, the policy appears to overlook its financial impact on businesses that rely on tobacco sales for survival.

Before enforcing such a measure, it is worth asking whether a proper system is in place to mitigate its commercial impact - otherwise, this is a case of putting the cart before the horse.

The government assumes that restricting the visibility of tobacco products will reduce smoking rates, particularly among young people. However, similar bans in other countries have yielded mixed results. Where such policies...