Ops Rokok: Duo caught smoking at eateries fined RM3,000

KUCHING (Dec 8): Two men were each fined RM3,000 by the Magistrates’ Court here on Monday for smoking at eateries in May 2024 and February this year, respectively.

The Sarawak Health Department in a statement said one accused pleaded guilty to a charge under Section 16(2) of the Public Health Smoking Product Control Act 2024 read together with Section 16(3) of the same Act, which provides for a fine of up to RM5,000.

The other accused pleaded guilty to a charge under Regulation 11(1) of the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations 2004 read together with Regulation 11(3) of the same law.

It said the two accused were caught during Ops Rokok operations conducted by the Kuching Division Health Office’s Enforcement Unit.

“Both accused were issued notices and given two months to settle their compounds at any Health Office.

“However, they failed to appear within the stipulated period, resulting in the cases being brought to court. They had also previously been reminded but still did not resolve the matter,” the department said.

During the proceedings, prosecuting officer Mohd Fairos Ibrahim informed the court that eateries have been gazetted as no-smoking areas since 2019 under the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations 2004.

He said this provision continues under the Public Health Smoking Product Control Act 2024, which came into force in October 2024.

Mohd Fairos also requested an appropriate sentence to serve as a deterrent to the accused and the public, emphasising the need for greater awareness of gazetted no-smoking areas and adherence to laws enacted to safeguard public health.

Presiding over both cases was Magistrate Ling Hui Chuan.