State deputy director, Mohd Hanizam Kechik, said they inspected 110 premises throughout the state following the recent video of a child consuming the candy and exhaling smoke that went viral on social media.

There is fear this habit may eventually encourage vaping and smoking among children.

A total of 1,128 of these cigarette-like products, valued at RM336, were confiscated at shops along Jalan Datuk Tawi Sli and SMI Industrial Park in Kuching, he said.

“Those caught selling the candies can face a fine of RM100,000 or up to three years’ jail, or both, for the first offence.

“Repeat offenders can be fined RM250,000 or face five years’ imprisonment,” he told reporters at a press conference here today.

On Tuesday, Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad expressed concern that the “Ghost Candy” was unscrupulously sold and marketed to schoolchildren.

It was also reported that the candy was widely sold in towns across Sabah.

Hanizam urged the public to report immediately through the “Ez ADU” application on smartphones or contact the KPDNHEP’s call centre at 1800-886-800 if they happened to see “Ghost Candy” being sold in shops.