Latest news with #HealthandEnvironmentCommittee
The Sun
3 days ago
- The Sun
Kelantan maintains vape sale ban, no licences issued since 2013
KOTA BHARU: The Kelantan government has reiterated its policy of not allowing the sale of vape products in the state, having not issued any business licences for such sales since 2013. State Local Government, Housing, Health and Environment Committee chairman Hilmi Abdullah said the move was not intended to ban individual use, but to control access to vape products, particularly among teenagers and students. 'We have not issued any license for vape sale at any premises since 2013. Kelantan, along with Johor, are among the earliest states to take this stand,' he told reporters after the State Executive Council meeting at the Kota Darulnaim Complex, here today. Hilmi was responding to questions about the need to enforce the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852), which was passed in Parliament last year. According to him, the removal of nicotine from the First Schedule of Poisons under the Poisons Act 1952 means that vape can now be sold legally, as long as no specific regulations are enforced. 'With nicotine no longer listed under the Poisons Act, vape sales are now open due to the lack of a main regulatory body. Until Act 852 is fully enforced, gaps in regulatory control will persist,' he said. Meanwhile, Hilmi said the local authorities in Kelantan have continued to carry out regular enforcement operations to curb unlicenced vape sales. 'In 2024, a total of 40 operations were conducted, with 67 seizures. Between January and March 2025, 10 operations were conducted and 16 seizures were recorded,' he said. He stressed that repeat offenders risk strict action, including business licence revocation and permanent closure. Hilmi also acknowledged ongoing challenges in addressing illegal sales, especially through online platforms that fall outside local jurisdiction. 'Our enforcement authority is limited to the local level. Online sales are difficult to control because the federal government still permits open vape sales. This continues to allow unauthorised distribution,' he added.
Barnama
3 days ago
- Barnama
Kelantan Maintains Vape Sale Ban, No Licences Issued Since 2013
KOTA BHARU, June 18 (Bernama) -- The Kelantan government has reiterated its policy of not allowing the sale of vape products in the state, having not issued any business licences for such sales since 2013. State Local Government, Housing, Health and Environment Committee chairman Hilmi Abdullah said the move was not intended to ban individual use, but to control access to vape products, particularly among teenagers and students. 'We have not issued any license for vape sale at any premises since 2013. Kelantan, along with Johor, are among the earliest states to take this stand,' he told reporters after the State Executive Council meeting at the Kota Darulnaim Complex, here today. Hilmi was responding to questions about the need to enforce the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852), which was passed in Parliament last year. According to him, the removal of nicotine from the First Schedule of Poisons under the Poisons Act 1952 means that vape can now be sold legally, as long as no specific regulations are enforced. 'With nicotine no longer listed under the Poisons Act, vape sales are now open due to the lack of a main regulatory body. Until Act 852 is fully enforced, gaps in regulatory control will persist,' he said. Meanwhile, Hilmi said the local authorities in Kelantan have continued to carry out regular enforcement operations to curb unlicenced vape sales. 'In 2024, a total of 40 operations were conducted, with 67 seizures. Between January and March 2025, 10 operations were conducted and 16 seizures were recorded,' he said. He stressed that repeat offenders risk strict action, including business licence revocation and permanent closure.
Barnama
4 days ago
- Health
- Barnama
Johor Introduces Smart Queue System At HSA
JOHOR BAHRU, June 17 (Bernama) -- The Johor government has introduced the Smart Queue System (SQS), which utilises quick response (QR) codes, to facilitate patient access to specialist clinic services at Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA). Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the system, the first of its kind to be implemented in a government hospital in Malaysia, was developed with a RM1 million allocation. He said the system will be rolled out in phases starting July 1. 'Previously, patients had to arrive early to get a queue number and were required to take two separate numbers -- one for the clinic and another for the pharmacy. 'With the SQS, patients only need a single queue number for both services, making the process more convenient and reducing overall waiting time,' he told a press conference after a working visit to the hospital today. Present was state Health and Environment Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon. Onn Hafiz said the system will also send notifications to patients' mobile phones when their turn is approaching. He added that the state government remains committed to enhancing services at HSA, including upgrading eight wards, the surau and restrooms, with the work expected to be completed by year-end. Asked about the multi-storey parking project at the hospital, he said it is currently undergoing a value assessment (VA) lab process.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Johor launches Smart Queue System at Sultanah Aminah Hospital
JOHOR BAHRU: The Johor government has introduced the Smart Queue System (SQS), which utilises quick response (QR) codes, to facilitate patient access to specialist clinic services at Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA). Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the system, the first of its kind to be implemented in a government hospital in Malaysia, was developed with a RM1 million allocation. He said the system will be rolled out in phases starting July 1. 'Previously, patients had to arrive early to get a queue number and were required to take two separate numbers -- one for the clinic and another for the pharmacy. 'With the SQS, patients only need a single queue number for both services, making the process more convenient and reducing overall waiting time,' he told a press conference after a working visit to the hospital today. Present was state Health and Environment Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon. Onn Hafiz said the system will also send notifications to patients' mobile phones when their turn is approaching. He added that the state government remains committed to enhancing services at HSA, including upgrading eight wards, the surau and restrooms, with the work expected to be completed by year-end. Asked about the multi-storey parking project at the hospital, he said it is currently undergoing a value assessment (VA) lab process.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Johor introduces Smart Queue System at HSA
JOHOR BAHRU: The Johor government has introduced the Smart Queue System (SQS), which utilises quick response (QR) codes, to facilitate patient access to specialist clinic services at Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA). Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the system, the first of its kind to be implemented in a government hospital in Malaysia, was developed with a RM1 million allocation. He said the system will be rolled out in phases starting July 1. 'Previously, patients had to arrive early to get a queue number and were required to take two separate numbers -- one for the clinic and another for the pharmacy. 'With the SQS, patients only need a single queue number for both services, making the process more convenient and reducing overall waiting time,' he told a press conference after a working visit to the hospital today. Present was state Health and Environment Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon. Onn Hafiz said the system will also send notifications to patients' mobile phones when their turn is approaching. He added that the state government remains committed to enhancing services at HSA, including upgrading eight wards, the surau and restrooms, with the work expected to be completed by year-end. Asked about the multi-storey parking project at the hospital, he said it is currently undergoing a value assessment (VA) lab process.
