Sales packet of cigarettes containing less than 20 sticks is prohibited from June 1 next year.Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the decision was consistent with, cigarette companies have seven months from now until May 31 to spend stocks packet of cigarettes that are less than 20 cigarettes in the market.
“Government will not entertain any appeal on the matter and the Ministry of Health Malaysia will fully enforce the ban manufacture and sale of cigarette packets less than 20 cigarettes starting June 1, 2010,” he said in a statement today.
He said the decision was agreed by all the cigarette companies and the government appreciated the support and cooperation of these companies.
“Prohibition of manufacture and sale of cigarette packets of cigarettes containing less than 20 bars actually were gazetted on 23 Sept 2004 through the regulations of Tobacco Control 2004, however, enforcement of the ban has been suspended after the government considers an appeal from cigarette companies,” he said.
Liow said the relocation to the enforcement of that, anyone found violating these rules can be fined not exceeding RM10, 000 or imprisonment not exceeding two years.
According to him again, the prohibition is also consistent with the recommendations of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) World Health Organization (WHO).
“Prohibition of sale of cigarette pack small packet is intended to reduce the accessibility and capability of children and young people to start buying and smoking is not healthy and costly,” he said.