16 smokers at airport penalised

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KOTA KINABALU: Sixteen persons were issued with compound fine by the Health Department for smoking within the vicinity of the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (Terminal 1 and Terminal 2) on Wednesday.

State Health Department (enforcement chief) Jamse Suladi said the operation was to enforce the control of tobacco products under the Tobacco Control Product 2009.

Apart from issuing compound to offenders, department’s personnel also handed out leaflets to remind the public of the health risk of tobacco and ways to stop smoking, he said yesterday.

He warned that anyone caught would be charged under Regulation 11 (3) of the Tobacco Control Product 2009, which carries a fine of RM10,000 or a jail term of up to two years.

Suladi added that such operation would be carried out from time to time, especially at prohibited smoking areas around the state capital.