1,781 notices for smoking-related offences in Terengganu since January


Most of Terengganu's smoking-related offences this year have been recorded at restaurants and air-conditioned premises, the Batu Buruk recreational park, and shopping complexes. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, June 22, 2022.

THE Terengganu Health Department has issued a total of 1,781 notices under the Tobacco Products Control Regulations 2004 with compounds totalling RM440,200 since January this year.

Its director Dr Kasemani Embong said it is an increase of almost twofold, compared with the same period last year, which saw 943 notices issued involving compounds of RM243,550.

She said the increase is due to the frequent enforcement activities carried out this year as eateries and restaurants were allowed to resume operations after the country entered its transition to the endemic phase of Covid-19.

“Compared with last year, the operation of eateries and restaurants is quite limited. We also received many complaints from the public about people who still ignore the smoking ban at eateries.

“These offences were detected as a result of enforcement carried out against 27,715 no-smoking premises throughout Terengganu thus far. We will continue to intensify enforcement to protect non-smokers from being exposed to the dangers of smoke and vapour from smoking products,” she said.

She said this to reporters after inspecting the enforcement activities under the Ops Gomo Asap Malam operations here last night. A total of 55 personnel were deployed to three districts, namely Kuala Terengganu, Kuala Nerus and Marang with more than 75 premises inspected.

Among the notices issued were for smoking at prohibited areas, failure to display a no-smoking sign on the premises, and selling tobacco products at an unapproved retail sale price.

Commenting further, Dr Kasemani said the highest number of notices issued were at restaurants and air-conditioned premises (775), followed by Batu Buruk recreational park (364), shopping complexes (108), buildings or children’s playgrounds (75), and government premises (41). – Bernama, June 22, 2022.


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