A recent incident in Shah Alam where a pregnant woman was harassed for confronting a smoker has highlighted the risks of direct confrontation. But a new digital platform, JomLapor, offered a safe and anonymous alternative.
Developed by the Health Ministry in collaboration with the National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM) and other NGOs, JomLapor empowered the public to report smoking and vaping violations easily, using photo evidence to let authorities take the next step.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use the platform.
Step-by-step guide to reporting
- Open the Reporting Form: Go to the JomLapor website and click 'Jom Lapor Sekarang'.
- Choose the Offence: Select the type of violation from the dropdown menu. The platform allows you to report a wide range of offences.
- Upload Evidence: Attach up to three photos that show the violation.
- Provide Details: Pinpoint the location (e.g., the name of the restaurant or event) and provide the full address of the incident for accuracy.
- Explain What Happened: Briefly describe the violation and how you witnessed it.
- Submit: Click 'Send' to submit your report directly to the Health Ministry for review and action.
What you can report
The JomLapor platform allows you to report various violations, including:
- Smoking or vaping in a no-smoking zone.
- The sale of cigarettes or vapes to minors under 18.
- Minors caught using cigarettes or vapes.
- The sale of smoking products disguised as toys.
- Illegal sales in universities, markets, vending machines, or online.
- Stores offering free samples, promos, or discounts on smoking products.
- Tobacco products sold as gifts or prizes.
- Outdated or missing no-smoking signs.
- Brand-sharing (e.g., using cigarette logos on non-smoking products).
- Cigarettes, cigars, or heated products sold below the regulated price of RM12.
- Advertisements for smoking products across media platforms.
- Sponsorship of community events by cigarette or vape companies.
The platform works on both computers and smartphones, making it accessible anytime, anywhere.
With JomLapor, Malaysians no longer need to risk confrontations with aggressive individuals.
Instead, they can take a safer route by reporting online and letting the authorities step in.