MOST eatery operators and patrons in Kota Kinabalu are observing Putrajaya’s smoking ban, which comes into effect today, despite the Sabah cabinet not yet deciding on its implementation.

Michael Chan, who runs a chicken rice shop at Segama Complex, said he is simply heeding the law.

“A Health Ministry vehicle made the rounds here yesterday morning, publicly announcing the ban.

“We just adhere to the law.”

The 50-year-old said he is not aware that the state government must first adopt into law the ban before it can be implemented.

“I’m just a businessman. If (ministry) vehicles are going around making announcements, I assume they are the authorities (in charge of) business premises.”

Local authorities, like Kota Kinabalu City Hall, are responsible for such premises.

Yesterday, Kota Kinabalu Mayor Nordin Siman said he concurs with state Local Government and Housing Minister Jaujan Sambokong‘s stand that the Sabah cabinet must first review the ban before adopting it.

On Health Ministry vehicles announcing the ban in Sabah, Jaujan said state officials were being “ignorant of the laws of country and state”.

The manager of Indian-Muslim restaurant Khalisah, near Kota Kinabalu’s Filipino Market, also believes that the smoking ban applies to Sabah eateries.

Maidin Sayed said Health Ministry officials in a van announced the ban near the restaurant yesterday.

“We were advised to tell customers to smoke elsewhere… 3m away,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

“But if they insist on smoking… What can we do?

“The officials told us not to provide ashtrays, but that will just lead to smokers littering. We could get fined by City Hall for not keeping the premises clean.”

Other eatery operators observing the ban said they are worried that they will lose customers.

“They are many hotel workers who frequent my eatery,” said Nikkie James, who runs a laksa restaurant near Sinsuran Complex.

“They come over for a quick lunch and smoke during their break. Sometimes, they come over for a quick puff to blow off steam from work.

“There’s nothing that a quick smoke and a cup of coffee can’t fix.”

Sabah resident Michael Johnny said he does not find it a problem to move 3m away from an eatery to smoke a cigarette.

“I have children, and my wife complains about my smoking habit. It’s fair that I walk a bit to have a smoke.”

Stan Yee, a non-smoker, said the ban is timely.

“They (smokers) risk the health of children and pregnant women.” – January 1, 2019.