Latest news with #OpsSelamatParu-Paru
Malaysian Reserve
29-07-2025
- Health
- Malaysian Reserve
Govt mulls nationwide vape ban
by SHAUQI WAHAB THE government is considering implementing a nationwide ban on the sale and use of electronic cigarettes or vape products. This move is part of a broader public health agenda aimed at protecting the youth from the harmful effects of nicotine and vaping-related products. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the proposal is still under careful consideration, with the government evaluating various legal, enforcement and public health implications before reaching a final decision. 'We are conducting a comprehensive review to assess the effectiveness of current control measures and the need for more holistic policies to safeguard the well-being of the people,' he said in response to a supplementary question in Parliament on July 28, noting that any decision on a full ban remains under the jurisdiction of the federal government. To this end, a meeting of the Expert Committee was held on July 22, and the Ministry of Health (MOH) will soon hold inter-ministerial discussions with four key ministries: The Ministry of Finance (MOF), Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN), Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) and the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC). Dr Dzulkefly was responding to a question by Datuk Ahmad Saad @ Yahaya (Perikatan Nasional (PN)-Pokok Sena) regarding the federal government's stance on several state governments' decision to halt the issuance of vape retail licenses. He added that enforcement actions are being intensified. A distributor in Kinta, Perak, was fined RM20,000 for advertising offences, while another in Titiwangsa, Kuala Lumpur, faced a RM30,000 charge for online vape sales. The Health minister also welcomed the decision made by six state governments — Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis, Kedah and Pahang — to stop issuing or renewing vape business licenses. 'We support these decisions, as licensing of business premises falls under the jurisdiction of local authorities, which are governed by state governments,' he said. Dr Dzulkefly acknowledged that while the current enforcement framework aligns with the government's public health aspirations, there are still gaps in control. The restrictions only apply to specific premises such as specialty stores and do not yet cover convenience stores or general retailers. He stressed that the MOH is prioritising strict regulatory control through the newly passed Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852). 'This includes mandatory product registration, bans on advertising, promotion and sponsorship, restrictions on sales, and prohibitions on smoking in designated smoke-free areas,' he added. To ensure comprehensive enforcement of Act 852, the ministry will officially launch an integrated nationwide operation dubbed Ops Selamat Paru-Paru this Friday. This operation aims to ensure that enforcement of Act 852 is conducted comprehensively, in a coordinated and effective manner across the country,' he said. He emphasised that enforcement needs to go beyond just state actions to revoke business licenses.
Focus Malaysia
28-07-2025
- Health
- Focus Malaysia
New Ops Selamat campaign targets vape sales, second-hand smoke exposure
THE Ministry of Health will kick off Ops Selamat Paru-Paru (Ops Selamat Papa) this Friday, an initiative aimed at ensuring robust enforcement of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852). Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the campaign, which also includes Ops Selamat Mama, is designed not only to strengthen enforcement, especially around the sale of vapes and e-cigarettes, but also to protect non-smokers, particularly spouses, from second-hand smoke exposure. 'The Ministry of Health (MOH) greatly welcomes and supports the stance of six state governments that have chosen not to renew licences for premises selling electronic cigarettes or vape,' he said during a press conference in Parliament. 'That is a positive step, even though it cannot entirely curb the sale of these products, as sales in convenience and retail shops are still ongoing and widespread,' he added. Dr Dzulkefly explained that regulating vape sales remains a critical component of Act 852, a responsibility currently under the purview of the MOH. 'Therefore, any efforts or initiatives towards banning vape fall under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government. If we look at the findings from the expert committee on electronic cigarettes, Act 852 focuses on regulation rather than prohibition of vape products,' he said. When responding to a follow-up question by Young Syefura Othman (PH–Bentong) in the Dewan Rakyat, the minister stressed the urgency of restricting open vape sales, citing rising cases of abuse involving illegal substances. 'According to investigations by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), taking 2024 as an example, out of 64 investigation papers opened concerning allegations of contamination involving illegal substances, 80 per cent were found to contain illegal drugs.' 'For this year, up to June, 58 investigation papers have been opened, with nearly 70 per cent testing positive for illegal substances (drugs) in vape products. We aim to move towards a vape ban, but we want to do so carefully.' Dr Dzulkefly concluded by emphasising that Act 852 enforcement needs to go further than just licence revocations by state authorities. 'We want the enforcement of Act 852 to go beyond just revoking licences as done by the six state governments, because vape products are still rampant,' he said. —July 28, 2025 Main image: American Heart Association
Sinar Daily
28-07-2025
- Health
- Sinar Daily
Health Ministry moving towards total ban on vape use and sales
He welcomed the move by six states, which were Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis, Kedah and Pahang to discontinue or refuse renewals for vape retail licenses. The Health Ministry is taking steps towards a complete ban on the use and sale of electronic cigarettes or vapes. -Photo by Bernama SHAH ALAM - The Health Ministry is taking steps towards a complete ban on the use and sale of electronic cigarettes or vapes, aiming for stronger measures to address health concerns. Malay daily newspaper Berita Harian reported that its minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the ban, which fell under the Federal Government's jurisdiction, must be implemented carefully, planned by considering legal, enforcement and public health factors. 'A thorough review is underway to evaluate the effectiveness of current controls and to determine whether more comprehensive policies are needed to protect public health,' he said during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat. Dr Dzulkefly was responding to Datuk Ahmad Saad (PN–Pokok Sena), who asked about the ministry's stance on several state governments that have stopped issuing licenses for vape businesses. He welcomed the move by six states, which were Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis, Kedah and Pahang to discontinue or refuse renewals for vape retail licenses. "The ministry welcomes this decision as the authority to license business premises falls under the jurisdiction of local authorities within the state governments. "This approach also aligns with our aspiration to protect public health. However, the current control only involves banning the sale of smoking products at specific premises such as specialty stores and does not cover retail or convenience stores," he added. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad - Photo by Bernama According to him, for now the ministry is focusing on strict regulation of smoking products through the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852), which covers product registration, advertising bans, sales restrictions and no-smoking zones. As part of enforcement efforts, the ministry will launch an integrated nationwide operation called Ops Selamat Paru-Paru (Ops Selamat PaPa) this Friday to ensure effective implementation of Act 852. 'We want Act 852 enforcement to go beyond license withdrawals, as done by the six states, because vape products are still widely accessible,' Dr Dzulkefly said.
