KUCHING, Oct 2 (Bernama) -- The government’s enforcement of the Control Of Smoking Products For Public Health Act 2024 will foster a healthier and safer environment for all.
Several residents in the state have described the Act, which was gazetted on Feb 2 and came into effect yesterday along with its accompanying Regulations and Orders, as essential for protecting public health.
Private company clerk Nur Shakila Wan Ibrahim, 28, said the enforcement will reduce exposure to cigarette smoke, especially for children, women, and individuals with health issues.
“For non-smokers, the odour of cigarette smoke can be suffocating,” she told Bernama today.
Bank employee Alias Idris Bakri, 45, expressed hope that local authorities and the state Health Department would conduct ongoing monitoring to ensure the Act's effectiveness.
“It would be better if local authorities provided designated smoking zones with stricter supervision to ensure smokers adhere to the established regulations,” she stated.
She noted that this initiative would lead to positive changes in the behaviour of smokers, thereby promoting a healthier environment.
Meanwhile, restaurant worker Linda Mubin, 21, shared that despite warnings, there are still individuals who disregard the smoking ban notices, and she hoped authorities would conduct ongoing monitoring, including imposing fines on offenders.
On Monday, the Ministry of Health (MOH) announced that Act 852 would be enforced on Oct 1, in phases.
The enforcement includes provisions prohibiting the sale of smoking products in the form of toys aimed at attracting children and teenagers.
MOH stated that educational enforcement will take place over six to twelve months from the effective date. This will include aspects such as the registration of smoking products and sales control, as well as the display of these products at sales counters, starting on April 1, 2025.
Additionally, packaging and labeling regulations will be enforced for all products by Oct 1, 2025, at the latest.
-- BERNAMA
BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; www.bernama.com; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies.
Follow us on social media :
Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio
Twitter : @bernama.com, @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio
Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial
TikTok : @bernamaofficial
