KUALA LUMPUR: The war against smoking has been further intensified with a ban on tobacco companies and retailers from giving gifts when selling cigarettes and other tobacco products.

The measure takes effect immediately with the amendment of the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations by the Health Ministry.

There is also a proposal to expand non-smoking zones to cover hotel lobbies and air-conditioned workplaces.

Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said retailers were not allowed to sell tobacco products with any other items or sell items and give away tobacco products for free.

The regulations were also amended to ban anyone from offering tobacco products or items promoting a tobacco product as gifts, and as prizes in lotteries, raffles, lucky draws, games or competitions.

Offenders can be fined a maximum of RM10,000 or jailed for two years, or both, upon conviction.

“They can still have promotions, in terms of giving price discounts of up to 5%. But they cannot give gifts, no matter what kind,” he told reporters yesterday after a “World No Tobacco Day” function.

Today is World No Tobacco Day.

Liow said the Government was working hard to discourage smoking, as the World Health Organisation had identified tobacco use as being responsible for killing one in 10 adults worldwide.

Liow said the regulations were amended to overcome “dirty tactics” used by tobacco companies to promote their products.

The National Health and Morbidity Survey 2006 showed that 21.5% or 2.73 million Malaysians were smokers and 33 million sticks worth RM8.6mil were smoked daily.

On non-smoking zones, Liow said the Government would continue to expand them until “smokers realise there is no place left to smoke”.

He said those who lit up in non-smoking zones could be issued compound notices of between RM300 and RM5,000.

If charged, the court can impose a maximum fine of RM10,000 or two years imprisonment, or both.

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