JOHOR BAHRU, Oct 31- A total of 9,799 notices related to smoking offences were issued by the Johor State Health Department, from January to September this year.

State Health and Environment Exco, Ling Tian Soon said a compound value of up to RM2.36 million was also recorded during the period.

Out of the total, 9,371 notices were issued for the offence of smoking in prohibited places, while another 428 notices were issued for the offence of underage smoking.

Enforcement is also imposed on users of electronic cigarettes or vaping, which has become increasingly popular among teenagers.

According to Ling, there has not been a single licence which is authorised to sell vapes in Johor. Therefore, he asked those who have information about illegal vaping usage, to report it to the Johor State Health Department, or to their local authorities in order for them to take appropriate action.

In the meantime, a total of 4,275 premises in the state have been inspected since the Smoking Products Control Act for Public Health 2024, came into effect on October 1st.

It resulted in 415 notices being issued for various offences, including the promotion of cigarette products out in the open and the sale of cigarettes to minors.

He said this after attending the Integrated Enforcement Mega Operation of Act 852 in Johor Bahru, Johor.