SHAH ALAM, June 1 — The Selangor State Health Department (JKNS) has issued approximately 752 notices to individuals and premise owners who failed to adhere to the smoking ban in public places.
Sinar Harian reported the compounds worth RM192,850 involved 326 smoking offences at food premises and 230 notices for smoking in shopping centres.
The notices and compounds were issued under Operasi Mega Penguatkuasaan Ops Asap and the Control of Tobacco Products Regulations 2004, in conjunction with the World No Tobacco Day throughout Selangor yesterday.
Department director Datuk Dr Sha'ari Ngadiman said the operations involved 260 personnel consisting of environmental health officers and assistant officers.
"Some 752 offence notices were issued with a compound offer of RM192,850, with the result of the breakdown of the offence notice under Regulation 11(1)(d) for smoking in food premises, constituting 326 offence notices or 43.4 per cent of the total.
"Regulation 11(1)(n) for smoking in shopping complexes resulted in 230 offence notices or 30.5 per cent, while Regulation 11(1)(g) for smoking in airports resulted in 38 offence notices or 5.1 per cent," he said.
Dr Sha'ari added the notices also include 26 other offences or 3.5 per cent under the Control of Tobacco Products Regulations 2004, which resulted in the issuing of compounds between RM250 to RM500.
He said if the compounds are not cleared within the set time, action will be taken and a fine of no more than RM10,000 or imprisonment not exceeding two years will be levied upon conviction.
"I hope the implementation of this operation will realise the government's wish to make Malaysia a smoke-free country by 2045. Similar operations will be carried out from time to time," Dr Sha'ari said.
