Key Takeaways
• Location: Malaysia (nationwide); statement issued in Putrajaya
• Enforcement scale: 25,643 operations and 496,247 premises inspected (as of Nov. 30, 2025)
• Compounds: 160,839 total, including 67 minors purchasing, 137,568 smoking in prohibited areas, 4,886 minors smoking, 18,318 involving owners/occupants
• Investigations: 2,352 papers opened for non-compoundable offences
• Prosecution totals: 58 cases concluded; RM394,700 in fines (about US$97,132.91); Shuib fined RM10,000 (about US$2,460.93)
2Firsts, January 9, 2026 – According to Malaysia’s national news agency Bernama, the Ministry of Health said it has carried out 25,643 enforcement operations involving inspections of 496,247 premises nationwide as of Nov. 30 following implementation of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852).
The ministry said 160,839 compounds were issued for offences, including 67 compounds against minors for purchasing smoking products, 137,568 cases of smoking in prohibited areas, 4,886 cases of minors smoking, and 18,318 cases involving building owners or occupants. It added that 2,352 investigation papers were opened for non-compoundable offences.
The ministry said Act 852 came into force on Oct. 1, 2024, and full implementation began on Oct. 1, 2025 with the launch of Ops Selamat Paru-Paru (Ops Selamat PaPa) to strengthen enforcement. It said operations focused mainly on the manufacturing, distribution and sale of all types of smoking products, including electronic cigarettes (vapes), to protect younger people from the dangers posed by increasingly prevalent smoking products.
On prosecution efforts, the ministry said 58 cases have been concluded in court, resulting in total fines of RM394,700 (about US$97,132.91).
In a related development, the ministry said the Magistrate’s Court convicted comedian Shahmira Muhammad, better known as Shuib Sepahtu, for promoting vaping through the Dol’s Podcast programme two years ago. The ministry said the conduct contravened Section 9(1) of Act 852 and he was fined RM10,000 (about US$2,460.93).
The ministry said enforcement and prosecution measures are taken as a last resort and urged all parties to comply with Act 852 to prevent disease and achieve optimal public health outcomes.
Photo credit: Bernama
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