IPOH: The Perak Health Department issued 8,465 notices for various smoking offences with RM2,114,750 in fines collected in the first nine months of this year.
State Health, Human Resources, Integration and Community Affairs Committee chairman A Sivanesan said the notices were issued in accordance with Section 32B of the Tobacco Products Control Regulations 2004.
He said the number of notices and fines increased as compared to 2022 when only 5,222 notices and RM1,305,500 worth of fines were recorded.
"In addition, a total of 2,274 operations were carried out by the department as of September this year compared to 2,603 throughout last year.
"Various measures have been taken to deal with the problem of smokers not only involving adults, but even at the beginning of the school age, which is a priority in the department's Perak Action Plan."
Sivanesan said this when answering a question from Dr Najihatussalehah Ahmad (Pas-Bota) at the state assembly in Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan here, today.
On electronic cigarettes or vaping, Sivanesan said the department would continue to intensify its efforts in conveying information to the public regarding the dangers of vaping.
"For example, the department is currently working on briefings and training for health personnel related to diseases caused by the use of electronic cigarettes such as vaping product use-associated lung injury.