By Karen Bong
KUCHING, March 15: The law prohibiting the display of tobacco and vape products at eateries and retail shops, set to take effect on April 1, must be backed by effective enforcement to achieve its intended impact.
While expressing full support for the measure, Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng cautioned that without strong enforcement, the 2024 Public Health Tobacco and Smoking Products Control Act could struggle to deliver results.
He emphasised that while the law marks a step forward in safeguarding public health, he noted that without proper monitoring and penalties, it risks becoming another regulation with little real-world impact.
“No matter how well-crafted a law is, without strong enforcement, it will remain merely a regulation and fail to bring real improvements,” he said during his ShallWeeTalk live session today.
His remarks follow the upcoming enforcement of the ban on displaying tobacco and vape products at eateries and retail shops across Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak starting April 1. These products must be kept out of sight in closed cabinets.
The move aligns with the Smoking Products Control Act for Public Health 2024 (Act 852), which prohibits point-of-sale displays of smoking products in eateries and retail stores.
Act 852, which regulates the registration, sale, packaging, and labelling of smoking products while also prohibiting smoking in public places, was gazetted last October. However, the Health Ministry (MOH) granted a grace period until April 1 before full enforcement.
On March 13, Sarawak Health director Dr Veronica Lugah confirmed that Sarawak would implement the prohibition in line with federal regulations.
Wee, however, highlighted concerns over enforcement, citing the longstanding smoking ban in coffee shops that continues to generate complaints due to lax enforcement.
“Only legislative bodies have the authority to enforce such laws, and enforcement should be carried out by the relevant departments. Unless power is delegated, local governments will have limited ability to intervene,” he explained.
He stressed the need for greater coordination between the federal MOH and local councils under the Sarawak government to ensure the law’s effectiveness.
Wee urged authorities to reassess enforcement strategies, suggesting that if resources are limited, the federal government should consider empowering additional agencies to expand enforcement coverage.
He called for a joint review by the federal government, the Health Ministry, and city councils to strengthen enforcement teams and improve efficiency.
“What matters most are the results. If issues persist, a serious review is needed to identify the shortcomings,” he said.
Additionally, he questioned whether merely covering cigarette display shelves would be effective, noting that consumers still know where to buy cigarettes.
“The real concern is whether smoking products should still be sold near no-smoking areas, as this could undermine the policy’s effectiveness.
“We should respect smokers’ rights, but at the same time, we must also protect the health of non-smokers,” he added. — DayakDaily
