Perkara                      :           MAKLUM BALAS

 

Tajuk                          :           GET TOUGH ON SMOKERS

 

Akhbar                       :           THE STAR

 

Tarikh Siaran               :           20 JUN 2012

 

Kategori                     :           ADUAN SMS

 

Dikeluarkan Oleh          :           DR. CHONG CHEE KHEONG

                                              DIRECTOR DISEASE CONTROL DIVISION

                                              MINISTRY OF HEALTH

 

I would like to refer to the article published in The Star newspaper dated 20 June 2012, entitled “Get tough on smokers”, and wish to thank Mr. Gunasegar Thiyagaraja from Kuala Lumpur, for his concerns and suggestions.

 

Plans to empower the public to issue fines against the smokers caught smoking in public places such as restaurants, shopping mall, bus stop or taxi stand would not be an ideal option.

 

Under the Food Act 1983 which is the parent Act for the Control Of Tobacco Product Regulations (CTPR) 2004, only officers  appointed by the Minister of Health issued with a letter of authorisation are legally authorized to enforce the provisions of the CTPR 2004.

 

The Ministry of Health enforces the Control of Tobacco Products Regulations through various planned “E-infoblast” enforcement activities monthly focusing upon provisions within the CTPR 2004. These regular enforcement activities are carried out at the national, state and district levels. Special emphasis has been given on enforcing the smoking prohibition provisions and the achievements for the past 3 years are as below:

 

(i)            In 2010, a total of 6,033 compounds were issued.

(ii)          In 2011, 8,042 compounds and for 2012 (Jan-Mac), a total of  2,813 compounds had been issued.

 

Nevertheless, members of the public are encouraged to exercise their rights and express their concerns about exposure to Secondhand smoke (SHS).

 

Ministry of Health would be very grateful if members of the public would kindly notify us on popular areas where smoking is undertaken by smokers and so as to further target those areas for enforcement activities to be undertaken pertaining to the CTPR 2004.