KUCHING: The Sarawak Health Department (JKNS) today kicked off Operasi Selamat Paru-Paru (Ops Selamat PaPa), a statewide push to curb smoking products and shield current and future generations from harm through coordinated enforcement.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said that Ops Selamat PaPa is a timely health enforcement and advocacy initiative, taking into account the growing risk of lung health problems among the community, particularly due to smoking habits, the use of vape, and exposure to air pollutants.
“Ops Selamat PaPa is one of the strategic efforts supporting the implementation of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852), which has been enforced in stages starting from October 1, 2024.
“This Act serves as a key pillar in the nation’s efforts to control the use of smoking products and to protect current and future generations from the harm caused by cigarette smoke and related substances,” he said.
He said in his text of speech read by Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng when officiating the 2025 state level Operasi Selamat Paru-Paru (Ops Selamat PaPa) launching ceremony at Wisma Sabati here today.
The Sarawak Health Department (JKNS) Director. Dr Veronica Lugah. echoed the importance of the operation, saying Ops Selamat PaPa is an integrated initiative launched to raise awareness and improve enforcement and prevention efforts against lung diseases, especially those linked to smoking and exposure to air pollutants.
“It is a strengthening plan that encompasses the enforcement approach of the Act 852 and health education, community awareness, as well as cross-agency cooperation, particularly in efforts to reduce health risks caused by the use of and exposure to smoking products among Malaysians – especially vulnerable groups such as children, teenagers, pregnant women, and senior citizens,” she said.
For the record, the operation, running from July 1 to October 2025, will be conducted simultaneously by all Divisional and District Health Offices across Sarawak to ensure a stronger impact, with several KPI targets set based on offences under Act 852.
It focuses on controlling both electronic cigarettes (vape) and traditional cigarettes, while protecting children, teenagers, and young people from the influence and marketing tactics of smoking products.
“Ops Selamat PaPa is one of the strategic efforts supporting the implementation of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852), which has been enforced in stages starting from October 1, 2024.
“This Act serves as a key pillar in the nation’s efforts to control the use of smoking products and to protect current and future generations from the harm caused by cigarette smoke and related substances,” he said.
He said in his text of speech read by Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng when officiating the 2025 state level Operasi Selamat Paru-Paru (Ops Selamat PaPa) launching ceremony at Wisma Sabati here today.
The Sarawak Health Department (JKNS) Director. Dr Veronica Lugah. echoed the importance of the operation, saying Ops Selamat PaPa is an integrated initiative launched to raise awareness and improve enforcement and prevention efforts against lung diseases, especially those linked to smoking and exposure to air pollutants.
“It is a strengthening plan that encompasses the enforcement approach of the Act 852 and health education, community awareness, as well as cross-agency cooperation, particularly in efforts to reduce health risks caused by the use of and exposure to smoking products among Malaysians – especially vulnerable groups such as children, teenagers, pregnant women, and senior citizens,” she said.
For the record, the operation, running from July 1 to October 2025, will be conducted simultaneously by all Divisional and District Health Offices across Sarawak to ensure a stronger impact, with several KPI targets set based on offences under Act 852.
It focuses on controlling both electronic cigarettes (vape) and traditional cigarettes, while protecting children, teenagers, and young people from the influence and marketing tactics of smoking products.