The Health Ministry has issued 98,054 notices amounting to RM24.5 million in fines over the past nine months for smoking-related offences in prohibited areas.

Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said the figure was an increase from last year, when 96,127 notices were issued, totalling RM24 million in fines.

“This data proves that we are serious about enforcing the law. Claims that ministry personnel no longer enforce the smoking ban are false...