Workplaces, laundries are gazetted as non-smoking areas starting next January 1
KUALA LUMPUR: Starting next January 1, laundry premises and workplace buildings including the government and private sectors will be gazetted as new smoking-free areas.
Besides those two areas, other places listed are entertainment centers or theaters (except casinos), hospital or clinic areas, elevators or public toilets, eateries and air-conditioned shops.
The addition of smoking ban places makes a total of 28 areas gazetted through the Smoking Products Control Act for Public Health 2024 (Act 852).
The Minister of Health, Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said, the enforcement of the new area will be done in phases and give three months to the premises before the enforcement is implemented.
“I am very grateful, finally the laundry premises have been listed as non-smoking places since I became the Minister of Health in 2019.
“This is because the area is frequented by mothers, wives with small children since it is a public place,” he said at a press conference after the Act 852 media briefing session here, on Friday.
Individuals found guilty of smoking or using smoking products in the prohibited area will be fined a maximum of RM5,000.
Act 852 is aimed at the use of tobacco products as well as reducing the harm caused by smoking and the use of other tobacco products including electronic cigarettes or vaping especially among young people.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Director General of Health (Public Health), Ministry of Health Malaysia (KKM), Datuk Dr Norhayati Rusli said that since the enforcement of Act 852 began three days ago, a total of 2,930 premises have been visited involving 108 operations carried out with the strength of 1,614 enforcement personnel.
“Throughout the operation, a total of 2,548 educational advocacy were distributed, including issuing three compounds involving the offense of smoking in non-smoking areas,” he said.
He explained that the implementation of Act 852 involves two levels of enforcement, namely immediate and phased, between six months, one year and two years.
He said, the immediate enforcement involved the prohibition of advertising, promotion and sponsorship; in addition to places where the sale of smoking products is prohibited such as educational institutions, online sales markets and vending machines.
