Four schoolboys held in anti-smoking raid
GEORGE TOWN: Four boys in their school uniforms were nabbed by the state Health Department enforcement personnel during an antismoking operation in Jalan Masjid Negeri here.
The boys, aged between 14 and 16, were caught around the vicinity of a school during the raid codenamed Operasi Penang Sihat.
It was the eighth raid in the northeast district this year.
Department Inspectorate and Legal head Ong Ang Guan said the department officers, who were in plain clothes, nabbed two boys who were smoking.
They also caught another two boys who had cigarettes and cigarette butts in their pockets.
“The boys were issued compounds of RM50 each and if they fail to pay, they would be brought to court and face a maximum fine of RM10,000 or two years’ jail,” said Ong during a press conference yesterday.
The operation also saw two men being detained for smoking in no-smoking zones at the Penang Hospital compound while another man was caught committing the offence at a federal building car park in Jalan Anson.
All three men were issued with compounds.
Ong said the operation covered three areas under the Tobacco Control Laws, Food Act and Dengue Vector Control Guidelines.
He said three construction worksites in the north-east district were issued compounds after they were found to be breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes.
The health officers also checked 18 shops and eateries in Ayer Itam and three were ordered to be temporarily closed until further notice due to unhygienic practices.
“Compounds totalling RM16,150 were issued to other eateries and restaurants which did not vaccinate their food handlers, keeping food items in dirty places, failure to attend the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) food handlers course and various other offences,” he said.
Ong said 259 enforcement officers from the Health Department, MBPP and Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry (Penang) were involved in the operation, which lasted until 11pm yesterday.