GOMBAK: The Health Ministry issued 78,424 compoundable notices under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) between Oct 1 last year and June 30 this year.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said 281,391 premises were inspected in the nine-month period, involving 15,775 enforcement operations.
“More than 290,000 educational enforcement operations were conducted to raise public awareness on the dangers of smoking and the importance of complying with the law.
“Enforcement officers seized 20,888 units of smoking products worth RM373,971.50 from 192 premises,” he said, citing the ministry’s recent enforcement report.
A majority of the offences involved smoking in prohibited areas, accounting for 73,438 notices under Section 16(2) of the act.
These notices have a total compound value of RM18.35 million, with 25,225 compounds formally offered and 20,729 settled, amounting to RM3.22 million in payments.
Cases involving minors smoking were also significant, with 2,619 notices issued. Building owners and occupants who failed to enforce smoking bans within their premises received 2,340 notices.
Another 27 notices were issued to minors who attempted to purchase tobacco products.
The report said 958 cases were registered in court in the period.
For non-compoundable offences, 524 investigation papers were opened, including 340 cases under Section 7(1) and 68 cases under Section 14(4).
Sarawak had the most inspections, with 15,160 food premises, convenience stores and specialty shops checked, followed by Sabah with 9,993 premises and Johor with 8,096.
Between April and June this year, 1,342 warning notices were issued to premises that failed to comply with sales control regulations under Section 10, Regulation 6.
More than 7,800 premises nationwide were found to be compliant.
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