THE Ministry of Health (MOH) will issue warning letters to any premises found violating the Tobacco Product Display Ban at sales counters.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad confirmed that phased enforcement of the ban is currently underway and will continue until October 1.
Phased enforcement will continue until October 1 and letters will be issued for non-=compliance
"Phased enforcement is ongoing, and if non-compliance occurs, the Ministry of Health will issue a notification or warning letter to the parties involved," he said during a press conference today.
The ban, which came into effect on April 1, affects more than 51,000 shops. It prohibits the display of tobacco products at sales counters in accordance with Regulation 6 of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health (Control of Sale) Regulations 2024.
This regulation follows the enforcement of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852), which began on October 1 of last year. Act 852 addresses issues related to the registration, sale, packaging, labelling, and the prohibition of smoking in public places.
Hospital care bill to be presented in Parliament early next year
Earlier, Dr Dzulkefly announced that the Pre-Hospital Care Bill is expected to be tabled in Parliament by early next year.
He explained that the MOH is currently drafting the bill, which will include provisions of a Good Samaritan law to protect members of the public who assist during emergencies from facing legal consequences.
"This is something I’ve been advocating since my first term, and we are now looking into it," said Dzulkefly.
"The MOH's Medical Development Division and the Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU) are reviewing how we can encourage members of the public with certified skills to step forward confidently and perform life-saving interventions during critical moments," he added.
Dzulkefly was speaking to the media after the handover of 210 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) donated by 99 Speedmart Sdn Bhd.
He reiterated that the bill aims to ensure the public can help in emergencies without the fear of legal repercussions.
"This is a commitment I want and that the ministry is determined to carry out. We hope this bill will be tabled sometime at the end of this year or early next year," he said.
The Minister also stressed the importance of installing AEDs in public spaces to enhance community preparedness and to ensure easy access in emergency situations.
"Studies have shown that using an AED within three to five minutes after a cardiac arrest can increase survival rates by up to 50 to 70 per cent," he explained.
Dzulkefly further highlighted that basic life support techniques such as CPR and AED usage should not be confined to healthcare workers, but rather be a skill available to the wider community.
“The MOH calls on more people to undergo CPR and AED training, which is now widely offered by the Malaysian Red Crescent and St John Ambulance Malaysia,” he added.
Of the 210 AED units, 170 will be distributed to selected hospitals and health clinics nationwide, while the remaining 40 will be handed over to 17 ministries and government agencies in Putrajaya. – April 8, 2025
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