KUCHING: The implementation of smoking ban at all eateries commenced early this year in all states of Malaysia except Sarawak.
The smoking ban at all eateries was enforced at air-conditioned or non-air-conditioned spaces including restaurants, coffee shops, open-air hawker centres and street stalls.
Under the ban, anyone caught smoking at the prohibited areas could face a fine of up to RM10,000, while any eatery found not complying with the ban could be fined RM2,500.
The smoking ban is Malaysia’s commitment as a member state of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, adhering to the guidelines under Article 8 of the World Health Organisation.
Malaysia’s present Control of Tobacco Product (Amendment) Regulations 2017 prohibits smoking in 21 areas including hospitals, public toilets, lifts, government premises as well as air-conditioned shops and offices.
Althoug the ban has not been implemented in Sarawak, the public in the state who were pressed for their opinions by New Sarawak Tribune yesterday mostly responded in support of the matter with certain conditions.
Gabriel Elser, 28, an Iban male working with Ministry of Health said it is a platform for smokers to eradicate the smoking habits.
“Smoking is an unhealthy habit involving both smokers and non-smokers. Children, pregnant women and those with respiratory diseases are vulnerable to smoke from the cigarettes, including secondary smoke.
“It has a long-term effect on health especially on smokers. And It is a good initiative taken by the government. However, they also should provide designated places for smokers where their smoke is away from the crowd or public,” he commented.
Mohd Benfadzlyn, 27, of mixed Iban-Malay parentage, an engineer with a local company, said Singapore is the best role model for smoking ban by allocating the public with certain smoking areas.
“I strongly agree with the motion whereby it makes people realise and aware of the dangers of smoking especially the smokers themselves.
“They (smokers) should also know they are
jeopardising the health of non-smokers.
“Besides, it is also to ensure a healthy environment within the society. However, they also need to provide a specific smoking zone for smokers, just like in Singapore,” said Ben while adding that the smoking habit takes much effort to reduce.
Siti Aishah Alias, 27, a Malay lady working as marketing and events executive with a local company, said with that initiative, the government also needed to introduce a comprehensive solution for a win-win situation.
“It is a good initiative as everyone needs to be comfortable while having their meal. However, the government should consider that it is difficult for the smokers to adapt the new regulation instantly.
“Providing the specific designated smoking area is one of the good considerations, while the government must also introduce a treatment measurement for smokers to quit such as encouraging the use of nicotine patches or gum.
“They should amend the price of nicotine patches because they are a bit expensive; it should be affordable for everybody,” Siti responded.
She added that mutal respect is needed to be fostered among societies to reduce the certain negative stigma between both smokers and non-smokers on the implementation of the ban.
Jonathan Ding, 25, a Kenyah-Kayan student of a local university said the motion taken by the government would make eateries more comfortable, clean and healthy especially for small kids.
“It is a good move to encourage people to stop or reduce smoking. Make eateries more comfortable, clean and healthy especially those with small kids,
“To create such fair situation for both smokers and non-smokers, owners of eateries could divide their shops into two zones, namely smoking and non smoking zones,” he said.
Another respondent Johnny Bong Lip Fun, 25, a Chinese businessman said the enforcement of the ban must be strict as it is meant for the good of the nation.
“I personally think that restaurants can have designated areas with several tables for smoking patrons especially at open-air restaurants.
“If smokers still smoke at the prohibited place, action should be taken by the owners and authorities. We have existing laws prohibiting smoking in designated places but we seldom see enforcement taking place,” he said.
