JOHOR BARU: The Johor Health Department issued compound notices totalling RM31,750 to 126 people for smoking in restaurants during a statewide operation on Sunday (May 28).
State Health Department director Dr Mohtar Pungut said that the operation was conducted together with the police and local councils.
“We inspected 426 premises and issued a total of 209 notices for various offences totalling RM51,350.
“Out of the 209 notices, 126 were issued for smoking inside a restaurant worth RM31,750 under Regulation 11(1)(d) of the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations 2004,” he said in a statement on Monday (May 29).
Dr Mohtar added that 17 notices were issed under Regulation 13(1) of the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations 2004 for underage smoking.
“We also issued 26 notices for failing to display no-smoking signs under Regulation 12(1)(a) of the Regulations.
“Five notices were issued under Regulation 8C(1) for (selling) cigarettes under the minimum price of RM12,” he added.
This year as of April, the department issued 4,106 compound notices totalling RM669,300, an increase of 279% over 1,082 issued in the same period last year, he said.
“Legal action can be taken against those who fail to pay their compound, where they could face a fine of not more than RM10,000, jail time of not more than two years, or both,” he added.
He encouraged the public, especially non-smokers, to play a proactive role in protecting their rights so as not to become passive smokers.
“They can support the Generational Endgame (GEG) Bill by advising those born after January 2007 not to smoke and to designate their homes and premises as no-smoking zones through www.my-house.com.my.
“They could also lodge a report through WhatsApp, Telegram, or SMS to 010-8608949 for any smoking violations,” he said, adding that those who wanted to quit smoking could book an appointment for treatment through the MySejahtera app.
