PETALING JAYA: The Health Ministry is working with smoking products retailers to ensure that they comply with display requirements by Oct 1, 2025.
The ministry said in a statement on Monday (March 24) that enforcement has been divided into phases under the Control of Smoking Products For Public Health Act, which came into effect last year.
It said keeping the products in a closed cabinet was the best way to restrict display compared to covering them with a cloth or canvas. This was based on the implementation in other countries.
The ministry said this is important to prevent breach of display laws, where retailers may indirectly promote the product.
“Therefore, MOH will continue to work with retailers to ensure that they install closed cabinets according to the specifications and enforcement is monitored closely from time to time. This process is expected to be completed by Oct 1, 2025,” it said.
It said under the Act, the display ban at counters was scheduled to come into effect on April 1 It was supposed to involve some 51,000 retailers.
“Since the enforcement of the Act, the ministry has always ensured that all rules are enforced according to the designated timeline, including education and advocacy enforcement which is being conducted continuously,”it said.
It added that it has taken the enforcement in phases approach to ensure effective compliance.
The Act prohibits point-of-sale display of smoking products at eateries and retail stores and a a display ban on all tobacco and vape products in retail outlets.
It also covers regulations on registration, sale, packaging, labelling, and prohibition of smoking in public places.
The Star reported on March 13 that Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Selangor were ready to enforce the ban effective April 1 after having informed shops about the move earlier.
