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Govt to adopt prudent approach in enforcing new smoking law, says Dzulkefly

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The health minister says the current focus is on educating society on the harm caused by tobacco and vape products.

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Menteri Kesihatan Dzulkefly Ahmad
Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad taking a closer look at the Dementia Action Plan 2023-2030 in conjunction with the ministry’s Senior Citizens Day celebration today.

PUTRAJAYA:
The health ministry’s enforcement officials will exercise their powers prudently when enforcing the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) which takes effect from today, says health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad.

Dzulkefly said the ministry was authorised by the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) to punish offenders under the law, which aims to ban the sale and purchase of tobacco products, smoking materials, and tobacco substitutes, including vape products, to minors.

However, Dzulkefly said the ministry’s current focus is on educating society, especially children and teenagers, on the harm of such products.

“We want the industry to understand that we are acting for the well-being of our youth,” said Dzulkefly.

“We want an environment where the law and the rights of minors are respected,” he said after officiating the ministry’s Senior Citizens Day celebration.

The Act was gazetted on Feb 2 but its enforcement was delayed several times.

The ministry yesterday said there would be two phases to the enforcement, with varying grace periods for certain provisions.

It said the rules on the sale of tobacco, e-cigarettes or alternative products that would attract teenagers and children, such as those that look like toys, would be enforced from today to limit its accessibility to minors.

Also to be enforced immediately are sections that ban the sale of such products at education institutions, online platforms and vending machines, and those that regulate the advertising, promotion and sponsorship of these products.

There will be no grace period on the sale or distribution of tobacco products and electronic cigarettes to minors.

The ministry will employ “educational enforcement” for provisions on the registration and display of smoking products until March 31, while the grace period for regulations on packaging and labels will end on Sept 30 next year.

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