Environmental health officers say they have the skills to enforce smoking law

PETALING JAYA: Enforcement officers under the Health Ministry and other agencies say they have the skills and experience needed to enforce the Tobacco and Smoking law.

In a statement, the presidential council of various environmental health associations also pledged their support for the law, of which the Bill for it will have its second reading on Monday (Aug 1).

The associations are the Association of Environmental Health Officer Malaysia (Ehom), Health Inspectors Union Peninsular Malaysia (KIKSM), Malaysian Association of Environmental Health (Maeh), Assistant Environmental Health Officer Union Sabah (KPPKPS) and Health Inspectors Union Sarawak (KIKS).

“As officers appointed to enforce the law, environmental health officers and assistant environmental health officers working under the Health Ministry and other departments under the local authorities are experienced and skilled because they have carried out such responsibilities since the enactment of the Tobacco Products Control Regulations 2004.

“With that, we pledge to carry out the responsibility earnestly to fulfil the Health Ministry’s aspiration to achieve the Generational End Game for tobacco products, for the health of Malaysians,” said the council on Sunday (July 31).

The associations also believe that the health Ministry would conduct programmes and training to improve the enforcement officers' skills to ensure they could perform their duty effectively.

“We will assist the Health Ministry so that the enforcement efforts can meet all legal requirements and international norms, especially those involving enforcement on children,” it said.

The council also expressed its appreciation and thanks to the Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin for tabling the bill.