KUALA LUMPUR – The Kelantan State Health Department (JKNK), through its Ops PaPa (Ops Paru-Paru), has intensified enforcement against smoking and vaping offences, issuing 8,369 notices worth nearly RM2 million between October last year and July this year.
Speaking to Scoop, JKNK director Datuk Dr Zaini Hussin said the operation was part of the implementation of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852), aimed at curbing smoking and vaping in prohibited areas.
“Kelantan takes the issue of vaping and smoking very seriously, especially in prohibited areas. We will not compromise on any violations of Act 852,” he said.
The highest number of offences recorded was smoking in prohibited areas, totalling 7,219 cases.
This was followed by 658 cases involving premises failing to display no-smoking signs, 453 cases of teenagers caught smoking, 24 cases against premises providing smoking facilities, and two cases involving tobacco product advertisements.
Dr Zaini also revealed that the state government, with assistance from the police, has tracked down and crippled more than 500 illegal vape and cigarette syndicates in Kelantan.
“These syndicates are often well-organised, and our joint operations with the police, the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM), the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN), the National Kenaf and Tobacco Board, and local authorities have been key in dismantling them,” he said.
He added that JKNK will continue to work closely with enforcement agencies to ensure Act 852 is upheld, while urging the public to report offences through WhatsApp at 010-8608949.
Meanwhile, the Health Ministry, through its Disease Control Division (Tobacco Control & FCTC Section), is also carrying out Ops Selamat PaPa nationwide to strengthen enforcement efforts and raise awareness of the health risks associated with smoking and vaping.
A Health Ministry report earlier this year revealed that over 7,800 nicotine-laced vape liquids were confiscated in 2023, many of them mislabelled or undocumented.
Aside from curbing smoking and vaping, Ops Paru-Paru — launched in July by the Health Ministry, the police, and the Pharmacy Enforcement Division — also targets unregistered vape products, particularly those containing nicotine or illicit drugs, that have flooded the market in recent years. – August 12, 2025