Over 11,700 Compounds Issued For Smoking Offences In Kelantan Since October 2024

KOTA BHARU, Oct 7 (Bernama) -- The Kelantan Health Department has issued 11,784 compound notices for various offences under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) since it came into force on Oct 1 last year.

Its director Datuk Dr Zaini Hussin said the most commonly recorded offences included smoking in gazetted prohibited areas and selling and displaying tobacco products that did not comply with labelling and packaging requirements.

"As of Sept 30 (this year), we have inspected 20,608 premises and carried out 2,676 operations, in addition to issuing 11,784 compound notices for various offences under Act 852.

"During this period, 21 investigation papers were also opened for non-compoundable offences," he told reporters after launching the Selamat Paru-Paru operation in conjunction with the full enforcement of Act 852 at the Kota Bharu Disease Control Branch tonight.

Dr Zaini said the large-scale operation involved 120 enforcement officers, who carried out inspections at petrol stations, convenience stores, and food establishments.

He said full enforcement, which began on Oct 1, 2025, prohibits all premises from openly displaying tobacco products to customers, with sales allowed only upon request, in line with the new regulations set by the Ministry of Health.

Dr Zaini added that monitoring efforts had shown that public compliance levels in the state had increased following various awareness campaigns carried out over the past year.

"Although there are still a few who remain defiant, we believe there’s no excuse to say you didn’t know about this enforcement, as announcements have been made through various platforms, including the media, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and schools," he said.

--BERNAMA