KUALA LUMPUR: The Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) will be enforced in several aspects immediately.
According to a statement by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, among the provisions that will take effect immediately is the ban on "the sale of smoking products in the form of toys that attract the attention of children and teenagers," to curb accessibility to such products.
The Act will also enforce provisions involving "the advertising, promotion, and sponsorship of all types of smoking products," effective immediately.
Additionally, the sale of smoking products will be prohibited in specific locations, including "educational institutions, markets, online platforms, and vending machines."
"Educational enforcement" will be implemented gradually over a period of six to 12 months.
This will include the registration of smoking products beginning on Apr 1 next year, packaging and labelling regulations by product, and sales control at counters by Oct 1 next year.
Dzulkefly stressed the importance of collaboration, stating that the Health Ministry will produce educational materials to help stakeholders understand the Act better.
"We will continue engagement sessions to ensure compliance, especially with industry players," he said.
Last Wednesday, Dzulkefly said the act, which was gazetted on Feb 2, will come into force tomorrow.
The law aims to ban the sale and purchase of tobacco products, smoking materials and tobacco substitutes to minors, as well as to prohibit providing any smoking-related services to minors.