KUCHING: The Sarawak Health Department (JKNS) has carried out 2,281 enforcement operations involving 46,918 premises statewide from October 2024 to June 2025 under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852).
Its director Dr Veronica Lugah said that of the total, 5,605 notices of offence under Section 47 of the Act were issued, involving compounds amounting to RM1,380,250.
“Additionally, a total of eight investigation papers were opened for court action for non-compoundable offences related to advertising, promotion and sale of smoking products.
“In line with the implementation of Act 852, the Sarawak Health Department has planned and executed various enforcement efforts to ensure the state and national goal of creating a smoke-free generation and a healthier environment for all,” she said.
She said this during the 2025 state level Operasi Selamat Paru-Paru (Ops Selamat PaPa) launching ceremony which was officiated by Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng representing Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian at Wisma Sabati here today (Aug 13).
Dr Veronica also cited the National Health Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023, which found that Sarawak recorded the highest smoking prevalence among Malaysians aged 15 and above.
“The prevalence of people aged over 15 who smoked in Sarawak has increased to 28 per cent in 2023.
“This is not a statistic that we in Sarawak should be proud of. And another matter is smoking among our teenagers, which is also quite high in Sarawak.
“The Adolescent Health Survey 2022 found that among teenagers aged 12 to 17, Sarawak ranks second after Kelantan for tobacco use, but first in the country for vape use. So, we have a serious problem with tobacco and vape in Sarawak,” she said.
Hence, she stressed that Act 852 was drafted as a comprehensive legislation aimed at regulating the use, sale, advertising, promotion and distribution of smoking products in Malaysia.
“This Act was designed to address current challenges and new trends in smoking product use, including the rise of electronic cigarettes (vape) and alternative tobacco products, as well as the public health threats associated with them.
“It also strengthens enforcement roles and expands control over various forms of smoking products,” she said.
“Additionally, a total of eight investigation papers were opened for court action for non-compoundable offences related to advertising, promotion and sale of smoking products.
“In line with the implementation of Act 852, the Sarawak Health Department has planned and executed various enforcement efforts to ensure the state and national goal of creating a smoke-free generation and a healthier environment for all,” she said.
She said this during the 2025 state level Operasi Selamat Paru-Paru (Ops Selamat PaPa) launching ceremony which was officiated by Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng representing Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian at Wisma Sabati here today (Aug 13).
Dr Veronica also cited the National Health Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023, which found that Sarawak recorded the highest smoking prevalence among Malaysians aged 15 and above.
“The prevalence of people aged over 15 who smoked in Sarawak has increased to 28 per cent in 2023.
“This is not a statistic that we in Sarawak should be proud of. And another matter is smoking among our teenagers, which is also quite high in Sarawak.
“The Adolescent Health Survey 2022 found that among teenagers aged 12 to 17, Sarawak ranks second after Kelantan for tobacco use, but first in the country for vape use. So, we have a serious problem with tobacco and vape in Sarawak,” she said.
Hence, she stressed that Act 852 was drafted as a comprehensive legislation aimed at regulating the use, sale, advertising, promotion and distribution of smoking products in Malaysia.
“This Act was designed to address current challenges and new trends in smoking product use, including the rise of electronic cigarettes (vape) and alternative tobacco products, as well as the public health threats associated with them.
“It also strengthens enforcement roles and expands control over various forms of smoking products,” she said.