The proposal to reduce the tar and nicotine content in cigarettes as a preventive measure against tobacco-related diseases would be implemented in June this year, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

He said the ministry had discussed the issue with tobacco companies.

"Tobacco companies would reduce the tar and nicotine content in their cigarettes in stages,for example, from 20mg tar to 15mg then 10mg and so forth.

"The proposal is also aimed at reducing the smoking habit among the population," he told reporters after launching a corporate social responsibility programme, Magnum Cares 2013 at the Mawar haemodialysis centre.

Thirty-one children welfare homes and old folks' homes in Negeri Sembilan also received assistance through Magnum Cares totaling RM76,000.

Liow said the ministry had also instructed tobacco companies to register their cigarette brands to ensure that they would meet the World Health Organisation's tar and nicotine standards.

Meanwhile, the minister said, from 2001 until 2012, the government had allocated RM216.5 million as haemodialysis treatment subsidy to non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

"In 2012 alone, the government spent RM21 million for 3,209 patients in 114 dialysis centres. Fifty-seven NGOs benefited from the assistance," he added.