Melaka Cracks Down On Illegal Cigarette Sales, Smoking Offences

MELAKA, Aug 2 (Bernama) -- A total of 3,156 notices with fines amounting to RM176,350 have been issued for various offences under Section 47 of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) in Melaka since it came into force on Oct 1 last year.

State Health, Human Resources and Unity Committee chairman Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem said that during this period, the Melaka Health Department carried out 701 operations, inspecting a total of 28,980 premises across the state in efforts to control smoking products for the sake of public health.

He said the offences detected under the Act include smoking in no-smoking areas such as eateries under Section 16(2), minors smoking under Section 17(1), and failure to display no-smoking warning signs or providing smoking facilities on premises under Section 18(1)(a).

“Since the enforcement of Act 852, we have focused enforcement efforts on restaurants, food stalls, hawker centres, and eateries on land lots, and these operations will continue to be carried out consistently.

“The enforcement not only focuses on monitoring offences in restricted areas for the sale of tobacco products, but also on the prohibition of selling and promoting such products,” he told reporters in Duyong here last night.

He was speaking after the "Safe Lungs Operation", which was carried out in line with the enforcement of Act 852. It was also attended by State Health Department director Dr Ruzita Mustaffa.

Ngwe said 10 food premises were inspected and six offence notices worth RM1,500 were issued under Sections 16 and 18 of Act 852 during the "Safe Lungs Operation" conducted in parts of Melaka from 8 to 10 pm last night.

He added that fines totalling RM40,000 were issued to two traders under Section 14 for selling smoking products at prices and conditions not in accordance with the law.

“As a result, 450 packs of cigarettes worth RM3,055.50 were also seized under Section 14, and we believe these were sold at cheap prices ranging from RM5 to RM7.50 to school students or underage youths.

“These cigarettes are also believed to be smuggled and untaxed based on initial inspections and verification by enforcement officers from the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) who were also involved in the operation,” he said.

The operation involved 40 enforcement officers from various agencies and departments, including the Health Department, JKDM, the Royal Malaysia Police, and the Melaka branch of the National Kenaf and Tobacco Board.

-- BERNAMA