By Brad Rantayy
MIRI, Jan 3: Miri City Council will assess and identify suitable locations for the setting up of smoking stations or designated smoking areas in the city to accommodate smokers.
Mayor Adam Yii said that the Council will come out with the study within this month.
This measure came following the smoking ban at all eateries in Malaysia which came into force on Wednesday (Jan 1).
“With smoking stations being set up, it would keep smokers out of non-smoking areas,” he told reporters at a ‘meet-the-people’ session in Miri Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) at Jalan Kwangtung here today.
Yii commended the Health Ministry for taking such bold step in implementing the smoking ban at all food and beverages outlets in Malaysia.
“That’s the way to go to discourage people from smoking,” he emphasised.
Beginning Jan 1 this year, those caught smoking in prohibited areas, including eateries, would be slapped with a RM250 fine for the first and second offences.
A higher compound of RM350 will be charged on those who commit the offence for the third time.
Also present was deputy mayor Julaihi Mohamad.— DayakDaily
