By: Zaki Salleh
KUALA LUMPUR – The Ministry of Health (MOH) has issued fines totalling RM24.8 million for smoking offences in public places from January of last year until April 30.
Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa stated that the fines were imposed based on 99,596 notices of offences under Regulation 11(1) of the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations (CTPR) 2004 amendment 2018.
Regarding the enforcement of the smoking ban in food premises, Zaliha mentioned that a total fine of RM11.3 million was issued for the same period, with RM7.6 million in 2022 and RM3.7 million in the first four months of this year.
“In 2022, a total of 30,648 smoking offence notices were issued under Regulation 11(1)(d), while 14,872 notices were issued this year,” she said in a statement.
She further discussed the effectiveness of enforcing the smoking ban in public places such as eateries to raise public awareness.
The smoking ban on food premises, which was enacted on January 1, 2019, applies to restaurants, coffee shops, food stalls, food trucks, and open-air dining areas.
Zaliha stated that the MOH will continue to enforce the smoking ban on public premises in collaboration with the police, the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDN), and local authorities (PBT).
