Kuala lumpur: A total of 34,903 enforcement activities related to compliance with the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) have been carried out, with 683,704 premises inspected nationwide as of April 30. The Ministry of Health (MOH) reported that these efforts resulted in 233,831 compound notices for compoundable offences and 4,226 investigation papers for non-compoundable violations.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, prosecution actions in court include 398 cases still under prosecution and 204 cases completed, resulting in fines totaling RM1,189,100. The ministry is also monitoring online advertising and promotional offences involving tobacco products, including vape. As of April 30, a total of 2,585 investigation papers have been opened for various offences under Sections 7, 8, 9, and 10 of Act 852, with no compromise on violations.

Act 852 has been enforced since October 1, 2024, with full implementation beginning on October 1, 2025. MOH is committed to enforcing Act 852 through the Ops Selamat Paru-Paru (Ops Selamat PaPa) initiative, focusing on the manufacturing, distribution, and sale of all smoking products to protect the younger generation from the dangers of smoking products, including electronic cigarettes and vapes.

In response to complaints about online advertising and the sale of vape products suspected of violating the Act, MOH conducted checks on 10 reported websites and submitted applications for action under Section 263(2) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588) to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). The aim is to block four of these websites, while six more are under investigation.

Any information and complaints can be officially channeled via the Smoking Complaints WhatsApp line at 010-8608949.