KUALA LUMPUR, June 4 — Deputy Director General of Health (Public Health) Datuk Dr Lokman Hakim Sulaiman said the ministry would not hesitate to seek heavier punishments against those who sell cigarettes to children.

“The Health Ministry will not hesitate to seek heavier punishments against irresponsible crimes like this that threatens to destroy future generations,” he said in a statement on its website yesterday.

“The Health Ministry will be increasing monitoring efforts and I hope members of the public as well will also monitor and inform the nearest health office if they find irresponsible sellers.”

This comes after a man found was found guilty last Thursday by the Shah Alam Court of selling tobacco to someone under 18-years-old and a second offence of selling cigarettes without pictures of health warnings.

He was sentenced to one day in jail and an RM500 fine for the first offence, and was fined RM600 for the second.

“I hope this case will be a lesson to others,” Dr Lokman added.

Dr Lokman also stressed that smoking contributed to 20,000 deaths annually.