Over 19 000 Smoking Violations Recorded Under New Public Health Act

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SUNGAI BESI: A total of 19,340 compounds have been issued against individuals under the enforcement of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852). Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (pic) said the notices were issued under Section 47 of Act 852, and amounted to RM4.8mil in compounds.  
“Under the operations, a total of 142,158 premises across the country were inspected since the Act was enforced on Oct 1, last year to Jan 31.
“There were 7,228 operations conducted under the enforcement of the Act,” he said. At the same time, Dr Dzulkefly said 162,229 awareness and advocacy enforcement on the Act were also done to increase education on smoking.  
He said this on Wednesday (Feb 19), after the Health Ministry conducted an Enforcement Operation of the Product Control for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) and the Food Act 1983 (Act 281) at Medan Niaga Tasik Damai here. 
Dzulkefly added that 160 enforcement operations under Act 852 were conducted in Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur from Oct 1 2024, to Feb 3. 
He said 1,430 notices were issued for offences under Section 16, which prohibits smoking in designated no-smoking areas.  
“Three notices were also issued for offences under Section 18, which stated the responsibility of the owner or occupant of any no-smoking area or premises to display no-smoking warning signs, provide designated smoking facilities, and ensure that no one smokes on their premises,” he added. 
In the latest operation conducted by the health authorities from Feb 5 to Feb 19, Dzulkefly said 299 premises, including night markets, were inspected. 
“The inspection involved 112 Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya health enforcement officers. “As a result, 105 offence notices were issued under Act 852 and Act 281. 
“Among the violations found under Act 852 included issuing 62 notices for offences under Section 16, which prohibits smoking in designated no-smoking areas or premises, followed by one notice for an offence under Section 10, one notice for a violation under Section 12, and three notices for offences under Section 18. 
“Under the Food Hygiene Regulations 2009 of the Act 281, 38 notices were issued for violations,” he added. 
During the enforcement raid, Dzulkelfly also awarded the BeSS (Clean, Safe and Healthy) recognition to four food premises that met the Food Hygiene Regulations 2009 requirements. 
As of December last year, 13,307 food premises nationwide have received BeSS recognition. Star

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