SMOKING BAN AT EATERIES
KUCHING: There is a noticeably cleaner and healthier environment at eateries in the city since the enforcement of smoking ban at these premises effective Jan 1 this year.
A coffeeshop operator at BDC Commercial Centre here, David Wong, 57, said the smoking ban has not affected his kopitiam business.
“The number of customers patronising my kopitiam are still the same. In fact more are coming together with their children,” said Wong when met at his coffeeshop yesterday.
Wong, who quit smoking three years ago, said he fully supported the ban and called for stringent enforcement by the authorities.
“The ban is good for everyone, good for the smokers themselves and also to non-smoking customers especially children,” he added.
Wong said he would remind his customers not to smoke at his premises and had also put up ‘No Smoking’ notices and posters at strategic areas in his coffeeshop.
“I will not provide astray on the table or lighters at the counter. This is one way to discourage them from smoking.”
Retired civil servants, Paul Samat, 71, and Joseph Jiron Gunjew, 75, both supported the smoking ban at eateries as it ensured a healthier environment for the customers.
“Now it is more comfortable to sit and enjoy my food and drinks in a coffeeshop. I really dislike the cigarette smell,” said Samat, a non-smoker.
Samat also condemned the habit of smokers who would throw their cigarette butts anywhere they like especially on the coffeeshop’s floor, adding that it is not only dirty but smelly.
Jiron, who stopped smoking about 20 years ago, said he fully supported the smoking ban.
“Those who want to smoke can do so elsewhere but I believe the ministry imposed the ban because of the seriousness of smoking to a person’s health and they the ministry wanted to ensure healthy living among the people,” said Jiron.
