KUCHING, May 18: The smoking ban regulation which came into force on January 1, 2019 for all food and beverages outlets is still in force, said political activist Voon Shiak Ni.
Reminding smokers and members of the public, she said despite the change in federal government earlier this year, the Health Ministry had gazetted all food and beverage outlets in Malaysia as smoke-free areas from Jan 1, 2019, with an educational enforcement period in place for 12 months.
“We received queries on the issue of smoking ban by members of public who noticed people lighting up their cigarettes at coffee shops while waiting for their food.
“No doubt it took quite some time for smokers to adapt themselves to the smoking ban but our law abiding people has so far did a good job to enable a smoke free and healthy environment at food and beverage outlets since the full enforcement of the ban in January this year,” Voon said in a statement.
She strongly supported the smoking ban, calling it a good regulation which does good for the people.
“For public awareness, I wish to inform that the smoking bans is still in force and the change in the federal government does not change existing policies or laws unless amended or repealed by the government of the day,” she added.
On Dec 30, 2019, Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah had announced that the smoking ban at all eateries in Malaysia will be fully enforced starting from Jan 2020.
The extension was done under Regulation 11(1)(d) of the Tobacco Control Regulation (PPKHT) Regulations 2004 (Amended) 2018.
Sarawak government has also supported the ban and penalise patrons caught smoking at eatery outlets and premise owners for allowing smokers to lit the cigarettes.
This will result in a RM250 compound for the first and second offences, which increases to RM350 for a third offence. – DayakDaily
