GEORGE TOWN: The Health Ministry says it is giving enough time for businesses to prepare for the display ban on all tobacco products in April next year.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni said the ministry is conducting educational enforcement to help the public and business owners comply with the regulations concerning tobacco products.
"We are educating first. We are not issuing fines or taking action against businesses at this time.
"We will conduct more comprehensive engagement sessions to explain to businesses so they are ready to comply with the regulations regarding the ban on displaying tobacco products.
"The ban will be enforced in April next year. The time provided is sufficient for businesses to comply, along with our educational enforcement campaign for the community," he said.
Lukanisman was speaking to reporters after attending a walkabout on Clean, Smoke-Free Premises (BeBAs) at the Medan Renong food complex here today.
The Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852), which took effect on Oct 1, would implement stringent regulations on the use, sale and display of smoking products across Malaysia.
Under the Act, proprietors of non-smoking areas are required to display a clear warning sign against smoking, in accordance with specifications.
The Act also declared various places, including entertainment centres, hospitals, clinics, public toilets, and air-conditioned shops, as non-smoking zones.
Display of tobacco products are also limited by the Act to specialised stores, and they must not be visible from outside.
Penang is the 10th state for the walkabout programme.
Today, 46 food stalls around the Medan Renong food complex and Lebuh Light were inspected, with 34 receiving the Clean and Safe (BeSS) recognition.
Lukanisman said the ministry hopes that businesses will comply with the guidelines set, at the very least, by removing tobacco products from being displayed in their premises.
"I also advised the workers in the store I visited not to sell (tobacco or vape products) to children.
"This is a significant challenge that needs to be implemented with the cooperation of all parties," he added.
From Oct 1 to Oct 26, a total of 45,666 premises were visited by the ministry, with 2,697 operations conducted.
"A total of 57,856 educational enforcement actions have been carried out, and 827 notices (for smoking in non-smoking areas) have been issued.
"Sixteen notices were issued to minors, and six notices were issued to business premises that did not display no-smoking signs," he said.