THE Health Ministry has not stopped enforcing the smoking ban at eateries and enhancing the campaign to ensure the public’s health and wellbeing, said Deputy Health Minister Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali.

He said the public’s perception that the ban was no longer in force was inaccurate as the reduction in enforcement was because more attention was being paid towards efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19.

“The campaign has not been halted. There’s reduced enforcement because the country is currently focusing on Covid-19. 

“In any case, eateries were not opened for the past three months due to the movement-control order,” he said in Bagan Serai today.

The Bagan Serai was asked on the public’s grievances about how many people were smoking again at eateries after the outlets were allowed to operate and dine-ins permitted.

Dr Noor Azmi said the government will table a bill on tobacco control, which previously came under the Food Act 1983. The draft is currently being scrutinised by the Attorney-General’s Chambers.

The government enforced the smoking ban at eateries under the Control of Tobacco Products (Amendment) Regulations 2018 effective from January 1 last year, with smoking only allowed 3m from food premises and open-air restaurants. – Bernama, June 13, 2020.