PUTRAJAYA: Thirteen traders were caught selling cigarettes to minors during raids conducted simultaneously in four states last week.
Deputy Health director-general Datuk Dr Lokman Hakim Sulaiman said the raid was carried out in Malacca, Kuala Lumpur, Negri Sembilan and Selangor on Aug 11.
"It is wrong to sell cigarettes to minors and you (traders) as adults have failed your social responsibility to protect our children from harm," he told reporters today.
Dr Lokman said the ministry had submitted the investigation papers to the respective state prosecutors, and hoped that possible legal action under the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations 2004 against these traders would serve as a deterrent.
These traders could be slapped with a maximum fine of RM10,000 or two years' jail or both under the law, he added.
Aside from the offence of selling cigarettes to underaged customers, he said some of the traders had also failed to display notices at their premises stating that it was unlawful to sell cigarettes to minors, and to sell cigarettes below the controlled prices.
He said that during the same raid, six minors were also found to have cigarettes on them.
“We will refer them to their schools so that their parents can be informed on the next course of action, including counselling,” he said.
To a question, Dr Lokman said some traders were also seen blatantly selling cigarettes to minors who were in school uniforms.