KUALA LUMPUR: Under-18 smokers will be fined up to RM1,000 under new anti-smoking measures imposed by the Government.
Anyone caught selling cigarettes to them will be fined up to RM10,000, or jailed not more than two years.
Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said his officers could now act with the gazette of the Control of Tobacco Products Regulations, Amendments 2004 last Thursday.
“About 3.6 million smokers in Malaysia are youths and the government is targeting to reduce the number,” he told reporters after launching the KSM Healthcare New Look Emergence Ceremony here yesterday.
Under the amendments, the list of non-smoking areas had been extended to include public toilets, internet cafes, libraries, places of religious worship, libraries and school buses.
Previously, the no-smoking areas include entertainment centres, except pubs, discos, night clubs and casinos; hospitals or clinics, air-conditioned eateries or shops, public transport, airports, government premises, childcare centres, learning institutions and institutions of higher learning, shopping complexes and bank counters, and Telekom, Tenaga Nasional Berhad and Pos Malaysia offices.
Anyone caught smoking in such areas are liable to a fine of not more than RM10,000 or not exceeding two years' jail.
“Owners of premises who failed to put up no-smoking signs at prohibited areas will also be fined not more than RM3,000 or be jailed not more than six months,” Dr Chua said.
He cautioned the owners that advertisements, including posters, at point-of-sales in coffee shops, sundry shops and supermarkets were also illegal.
“The owners can be fined not more than RM10,000 or jail not exceeding two years,” he added.
Dr Chua said 25% of Malaysians above 18 years old are smokers.
He said epidemiological studies showed that not less than 50% of smokers would die from their smoking habits.
“Between 10% and 12% of the cause of deaths in Malaysia in the last two decades are due to smoking,” he said.