By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, Feb 19: Sarawak welcomes the move by the Ministry of Health of Malaysia (KKM) to provide designated smoking areas near food premises, though it is not a new thing in the State, says Deputy Premier of Sarawak Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.
Dr Sim, who is also Minister for Public Health, Housing, and Local Government (MPHLG) Sarawak, stated that special smoking areas were implemented in collaboration with the State and Federal governments prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It’s not a new thing; it’s simply going back to enforce it. Basically, it demonstrates that enforcement always faces difficulties.
“When the Covid-19 pandemic hit the country, people begin to forget what has been enforced previously,” he told reporters during a press conference following the opening ceremony of the ‘Practice of Gynaecologic Pathology and Cytopathology 2024’ conference held today at a hotel here.
Dr Sim was asked to comment on the Health Ministry’s plans to provide designated smoking areas outside dining premises, especially for those located in tight spaces.
On Feb 17, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad stated that his ministry was considering the proposal because it was difficult for food premises in narrow areas to comply with the three-metre smoking distance that is currently enforced.
Dr Dzulkefly emphasised that the move was not a step backwards but rather to maintain the smoking ban at a distance of three metres from the food premises. — DayakDaily
