GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Health Department issued compounds totalling RM23,650 to 97 smokers, who included 11 foreigners and three underage smokers, during an anti-smoking operation yesterday.
A total 87 department staff members and representatives from the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and Seberang Prai City Council (MBSP) were involved in the operation, dubbed “Ops Penang Sihat 10/2019”, which was carried out between 8am and 4.30pm.
The department’s chief enforcement officer Ong Ang Guan said the three underage smokers were caught at the KTM Butterworth station and a shopping mall here.
“The three underage smokers were imposed with a compound of RM50 each, while 94 other offenders were compounded RM250 each, as provided for under Section 32b of the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations 2004 and given a month to settle the penalty,” he told Bernama at the end of the operation.
He added that those who failed to pay the compound within the stipulated period would be charged in court. — Bernama
