JOHOR BARU: The Johor Health Department has taken action against 12 premises here for various offences related to the sale of cigarettes.
State health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said an operation in several parts of Johor Baru was conducted on Wednesday (Aug 27) as part of the department’s efforts to ensure compliance with the Public Health Smoking Product Control Act 2024 (Act 852).
He said two investigation papers have been filed against two convenience stores for failing to comply with the stipulated conditions for the sale and display of tobacco products under the Act.
“Another nine eateries and a laundromat were issued notices failing to display a warning sign of prohibition of smoking and for allowing people to smoke in a non-smoking area.
“The department also confiscated items worth RM2,563 from one of the premises for violating the retail price or minimum selling price of any tobacco product,” he said in a statement on Thursday (Aug 28).
Ling said Ops Selamat Paru-Paru has been carried out nationwide since July 1 to curb the manufacturing, distribution and sale of smoking products, including electronic cigarettes and vape, while also enforcing no-smoking rules at public premises.
He said between July 1 and Aug 25, the Johor Health Department had issued 2,703 compounds worth RM675,750 and opened 54 investigation papers under various sections of the Act.
“The latest enforcement in Johor focused on convenience stores and laundrettes, the latter being newly gazetted as no-smoking areas, so the department will conduct continuous monitoring and checks,” he said.
Ling urged operators and the public to comply with the rules and reminded them that complaints can be lodged via WhatsApp at 010-8608949 or at jomlapor.com.
