They also suggested that assistant health officers who are degree-holders should be promoted to officers, and assistant officers be appointed from among public health assistants who hold a diploma.

They also called for health enforcement officers to be equipped with digital equipment to conduct inspections more efficiently and systematically, suggesting they be fitted with body cameras, tablet computers, drones and portable digital printers to print out compound notices.

The unions also called for their existing allowances to be extended to those appointed on a contract or interim basis.

They also suggested better uniforms for enforcement officers “including perhaps giving them vests with ranks and service stripes to boost their image when performing their duties on the field”.

The suggestions, if implemented, would improve motivation and boost the efforts to reduce Malaysia’s smoking population, they said.

The government began enforcing the provisions of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 on Oct 1. The law bans the sale and purchase of tobacco products, smoking materials and tobacco substitutes to minors, as well as prohibiting the provision of any smoking-related services to minors.