Its president, Wong Teu Hoon, said the April 1 deadline set by the health ministry was too short for coffee shop operators to adjust.
He said the minimum wage increase from RM1,500 to RM1,700 in February had already strained the operations of coffee shops and their traditional retailers.
“Rent prices continue to climb, utility bills have increased, and transportation costs are volatile depending on fuel prices.
“On top of that, the cost of raw materials, including essential food and beverage supplies, has surged, further tightening margins for coffee shop owners,” he said in a statement.
Wong said many coffee shops were struggling to stay afloat and would have to invest in storage solutions, training staff, and purchasing new equipment.
“We are not avoiding the requirement but simply asking for the government to consider the burden of our members and to provide more time to comply,” he said.
Last October, the Federation of Sundry Goods Merchants Associations of Malaysia also urged the government to postpone the tobacco display ban until proper guidelines are in place.
Its president, Hong Chee Meng, called for financial aid to help smaller businesses reconfigure their product counters.
The Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 was gazetted on Feb 2 last year but its enforcement only began in October after several delays.
The health ministry has said there would be no grace period for new provisions on the sale or distribution of tobacco products and electronic cigarettes to minors.
However, it said it would employ “educational enforcement” for the registration and display of smoking products until March 31. - FMT
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