KUALA LUMPUR: Strict enforcement is needed to ensure the regulations under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 are upheld, particularly the ban to light up in non-smoking zones.
Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) education officer N.V. Subbarow said the signage in areas gazetted no-smoking areas are of no use.
He cited an example of Little India in Georgetown, Penang, which is no-smoking zone. He said irresponsible people continue to smoke in the area and disregard the signage in the same way that many people disregard road signs in the country.
"This is an issue that has been going on for years. Although people know that it is a no-smoking zone, they continue to do so.
"The weak point is the lack of enforcement. For example, Little India is considered a no-smoking zone and there are signages, but nobody is bothered by it. They regard it like a road sign.
"Visualisation is of course important, but signage is important as well," he said when contacted by the New Straits Times.
The Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 came into effect on Oct 1.
Among the provisions taking immediate effect are the ban on the sale of smoking products in the form of toys that appeal to children and teenagers, the ban on advertising smoking products, and online sales.
"Educational enforcement" will be implemented gradually over six to 12 months. This will include the requirement for premises to put up no-smoking signage, the registration of smoking products, sales control at counters beginning April 1 next year, and packaging and labelling regulations by Oct 1 next year.
The Health Ministry also listed 28 areas that have been declared non-smoking zones.
There are also areas in seven states (Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Terengganu, Johor, Kelantan, Penang and Negri Sembilan) which have been previously gazetted as non-smoking zones.
These areas will immediately become non-smoking areas, except for laundromats and work premises, which will begin enforcing the rule on Jan 1.
Subbarow said more frequent enforcement is needed, rather than it done only once or twice a year. He said this will make people more fearful about lighting up in these no-smoking zones.
He said this is done in Singapore, where even Malaysians who travel there are scared to smoke.
"The government should also team up with relevant agencies for enforcement, so that people would be genuinely afraid to smoke in non-smoking areas."
He said shopkeepers must also stop selling cigarettes or vape items to schoolchildren.
He urged shopkeepers to comply with the law, including the requirement to not display smoking products on counters, which is set to be enforced on April 1.
He said this move would help prevent children from smoking.
Subbarow said this should be done quickly and shopkeepers should not be granted any extension on the six-month grace period.
"If the Health Ministry approves more grace periods, it will mean more deaths from smoking-related diseases.
"Enough is enough. No more grace periods for shopkeepers."
He said at hospitals, the government should ban people from smoking, including in parking lots, as the smoke can still be inhaled from afar.
"The government should ensure that non-smoking zone at hospitals extend at least a mile."