Don't confront smokers, just report them, says Health Ministry

The Star

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the implementation of the Tobacco Product Control for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) at local premises is currently focused on educational enforcement to raise public awareness.  Read more at https://tinyurl.com/mj34cjw2   WATCH MORE: https://thestartv.com/c/news SUBSCRIBE: https://cutt.ly/TheStar LIKE: https://fb.com/TheStarOnline

Transcript

00:30VAPE in particular, with this as well as MERTA, we implement Article 852.

00:37No, it's illegal, it's compoundable, it's punishable if they keep selling this product.

00:44There are also other regulations on packaging, display, ban on display and others,

00:51labeling, promotion, that will take time.

00:54That's what we do in the phase of educational enforcement.

01:04We give them 6-12 months to understand and buy in.

01:10We don't want to force them, but they have to know their responsibilities.

01:16And we do that as a behavioral change in their attitude,

01:24to implement Article 852 and regulations on food hygiene 2009.

01:32We have the compound issue.

01:34We know that there are people who will go through the educational enforcement program.

01:40So I can give an example.

01:42The compound issue alone is RM8,500.

01:47We can issue a compound, but we don't issue a compound.

01:53What we issue is a warning and educational enforcement.

01:57We go to the literacy, we go to the education, we go to the clarification.

02:03But in the future, on April 1st, 2025, we will pass that.

02:10What we advise to the elected representatives and managers,

02:15is to remain assertive, but we say,

02:19do it with wisdom and wisdom.

02:22One mantra from me, you can be assertive without being impolite.

02:28You must be assertive, you don't have to fight.

02:31The best way to win an argument, is don't have an argument, don't have a debate.

02:37You just avoid.

02:39But tell them nicely, this is a regulation, you have to follow, you have to obey.

02:44Oh yeah, don't worry.

02:45We have said, the minute you go to that level, re-report us.

02:49Never take the law in your own hand.

02:53Don't fight, not in your place, not in your premise.

02:57It will not be nice.

02:58So, it's okay, as I said, the best way to win an argument is not to have one.

03:03You back up, but please, we will defend, we will protect,

03:07your information about who the whistleblowers are.

03:09If you can take a picture and tell us, we will immediately act.

Category

Transcript

Recommended