MOH confident of drop in national prevalence of smoking with enforcement of Act 852

PUTRAJAYA: The Ministry of Health (MOH) is confident that the national prevalence of smoking can drop to less than 15 per cent next year from 19 per cent with the enforcement of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) last Oct 1.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the prevalence of smoking in Malaysia was 21.3 per cent in 2019 and dropped to 19 per cent, but there was a significant increase in the trend of using electronic cigarettes.

"The prevalence of smoking has dropped from 21.3 per cent to 19 per cent, but the transition from smoking to vaping saw an increase from 3.2 per cent in 2016 to 4.9 per cent in 2019 and now it is 5.8 per cent," he said.

He told the media this after a briefing on Act 852 here today which was also attended by Health Deputy Director-General (Public Health) Datuk Dr Norhayati Rusli.

Dzulkefly said two new areas are listed as non-smoking areas. They are the launderette and workplace buildings, effective on Jan 1 next year.

He said there are 28 non-smoking areas under Act 852 compared to only 23 under the Control of Tobacco Product (Amendment) Regulations 2018 under the Food Act 1983.

Meanwhile, Dr Norhayati said a total of 2,548 warning notices had been issued since Act 852 came into force last Oct 1.

Three compounds were also issued for smoking at prohibited smoking areas, she added.

She said the Ministry of Health also inspected 2,930 premises and conducted 108 operations during routine enforcement of the smoking ban in eateries, restaurants and public places.

Act 852 is comprehensive and aims to control the use of electronic cigarettes which was previously unregulated especially among young people and to strengthen control over other tobacco products, she added.

It was gazetted last Feb 2 and came into force simultaneously with the Regulations and Orders under it last Oct 1.

-- BERNAMA

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