Enforcement is done after the grace period, says divisional health officer
KOTA SAMARAHAN: The smoking ban will start with six months of education programmes and after that, the regulation and Act will be fully enforced, said Samarahan divisional health officer Dr Nur Fatihah Oh Abdullah.
She said this in her speech, read by Samarahan epidemiology officer Dr Noor Baizura Jamali, during the launch of the division-level Enforcement Education on Control of Tobacco Product Regulations 2004 (PPKHT) (Amendment 2018) at Aiman Mall here, yesterday.
According to Fatihah, World Health Organisation (WHO) suggested MPOWER as a strategy to protect non-smokers from the dangers of smoking.
In this strategy, the activity will focus on “denormalisation” which is to encourage the community to reject the smoking culture.
Under Ordinance 11(1) (d) PPKHT, members of the public are requested to not smoke in eateries with or without air conditioners and this include areas in or outside the building.
It covers all types of eateries and vehicles that offer food and beverage (F&B) services and facilities as well as restaurants on boats and trains.
“The operators are responsible in ensuring that the no-smoking sign is visible and that no one smokes in their premises. They also have to make sure that smoking conveniences such as ashtrays are not provided,” she added in her speech.
Individuals who commit the offence can be fined not more than RM10,000 or face not more than 2 years of jail time.
Meanwhile, under the Ordinance 12 PPKHT, all premises proprietors who fail to display no-smoking signs properly can be fined not more than RM3,000 or face not more than 6 months of jail time.
For the offence of not prohibiting smokers from smoking as well as providing smoking convenience, it can result in a fine not more than RM5,000 or one year imprisonment.
“Hence, it is everyone’s responsibility in making sure this regulation can be successfully enforced to protect members of the public especially children, pregnant women and senior citizens,” she said.
Later, while speaking to reporters, Baizura said that smokers should not feel as if the government is trying to go against them as the main objective is to protect non-smokers.
“Both parties have their rights and we hope that the smokers can adhere to the smoking ban.
“Of course they can still smoke as long as they keep three metres away from the premises,” she said.
Among those present were Samarahan District Office administrative officer Mohamad Hadi Datuk Bolhen, Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) public health assistant officer Andreas Belon, Samarahan division Non-communicable Diseases (NCD) Unit medical officer Dr Mohd Khairul Anuar Roselan, Samarahan division health officer Dr Nor Hazemi Hassan and Aiman Mall management representative Gladys Sim.
