The Health Ministry has issued 98,054 notices amounting to RM24.5 million in fines over the past nine months for smoking-related offences in prohibited areas.

Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said the figure was an increase from last year, when 96,127 notices were issued, totalling RM24 million in fines.

“This data proves that we are serious about enforcing the law. Claims that ministry personnel no longer enforce the smoking ban are false... our enforcers regularly carry out operations every day,” he told reporters.

He said this after launching the Clean Premises, Smoke-Free (Bebas) Walkabout Programme and the 2024 Mega Integrated Enforcement Operation on the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) at the national level in Kuantan yesterday.

Dzulkefly (above) added that if the enforcement of Regulation 11 of the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations (PPKHT) 2004 were to continue until the end of 2024, the ministry could expect to issue more than 130,000 notices, amounting to RM32 million in fines.

However, the tobacco control regulations have now been replaced by The Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852).

When asked if enforcement officers face threats during operations, Dzulkefly acknowledged that such incidents have occurred but were managed effectively.

Separately, the ministry, in a statement, said that the Mega Integrated Operation at the state level, which began on Oct 11, aims to curb the sale, purchase, and use of tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes, especially among minors.

It also urged all ministries, agencies, professional bodies, NGOs, traders’ associations, and the entire Madani community to create a smoke-free environment by enforcing Act 852 and other related laws.

The Mega Integrated Operation is the first of its kind, carried out in collaboration with various other ministries and agencies, such as the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry, the Customs Department, and the police.

- Bernama

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