Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said they were banking on the enforcement of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 from Oct 1 to achieve this.

He said 19% of the population were smokers according to the 2023 Global Adult Tobacco Survey.

“Although the prevalence of conventional tobacco use has been reduced from 21.3% (the previous year) to 19%, there has also been a shift to vape usage.

“I hope we can reach the 15% target by December 2025,” he told reporters at the ministry today.

By April 1 next year, the ministry will also begin enforcing its requirement for the registration of smoking products and controls on point-of-sale displays of such products at eateries and retail stores.

The health ministry intends to carry out an awareness campaign for six to 12 months, including about the need for registration of smoking products.

However, the ministry has immediately begun enforcing its ban on the sale of all smoking products at prohibited places such as educational institutions, online sales markets and self-service vending machines.

Launderettes added to list of non-smoking zones

Dzulkefly also said two new areas had been listed as non-smoking areas and enforcement would begin there from Jan 1 next year.

These are launderettes and office buildings, including both government and private premises.

Dzulkefly said he had been actively campaigning to include laundromats in the non-smoking zone list.

A total of 28 non-smoking areas have been established under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024.

They include entertainment centres (excluding casinos), hospital and clinic compounds, lifts, public restrooms, eateries and air-conditioned shops.