More than enough: Anti-tobacco groups say the six-month grace period for businesses to reposition smoking products at convenience stores is reasonable. — MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Authorities must not buckle under pressure to extend the grace period for enforcement regulations under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852), say anti-tobacco groups.
They said the six-month grace period for businesses to reposition smoking products at convenience stores is reasonable.
Malaysian Council for Tobacco Control (MCTC) president Dr M. Murallitharan said the six-month duration would allow businesses enough time to make the necessary changes for smoking product placements.
“While some may want enforcement to start immediately, it can be difficult, as well as unreasonable, for business owners to apply,” he said.
However, he said, tobacco industry lobbyists may call for an extension of the enforcement grace period beyond the April 1 deadline next year.
“They may say they need more time, but the government has given a reasonable landing time for businesses. It doesn’t take six months to change a cabinet. That’s the reality,” he said.
Murallitharan said a holistic approach is necessary, from the ministry, industry players and also the public, to make the country healthier.
He proposed community empowerment measures to aid the enforcement of the regulations.
“We have thousands of anti-smoking activists who can help publicise instances of non-compliance,” he said, referring to images and videos of non-compliance that were uploaded on social media by the public.
“(The) people power will play a big role. We are ready to assist and will be on the ground to provide education and awareness to business owners and the public,” he said.
Consumers’ Association of Penang senior education officer and anti-smoking activist N.V. Subbarow said the grace period should not be extended.
“More than enough time has been given. This is a public health matter. If we delay any longer, the situation will worsen,” he said, adding that the authorities need to step up monitoring and enforcement at tourist spots and government offices.
Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations Tobacco and Smoking Control coordinator Muhammad Sha’ani Abdullah said exemplary leadership is needed to discourage people from lighting up in no-smoking zones.
“Government department heads should also be taken to task if there are people found smoking at premises under their jurisdiction,” he said.
He suggested that business owners heed enforcement regulations ahead of April 1.
Ikram Health Malaysia president Dr Mohd Afiq Mohd Noor urged businesses to adapt to the new regulations under Act 852 within the grace period.
“Continuous awareness must be carried out by both the ministry and NGOs during this period,” he said.
He said campaigns, especially on the harm of smoking, must be actively promoted among the public and industry players for the regulations to be carried out effectively.
“We also need a more efficient system to report those violating smoking regulations instead of the current method,” he said, referring to the Health Ministry’s Smoking Complaint line.
