Restaurant owners oppose smoking ban

Updated 5 years ago · Published on 12 Nov 2018 7:51PM · 7 Comments

Barring people from lighting up in eateries, even in the al fresco dining areas, will not help to get smokers to kick the habit, says the Malaysia-Singapore Coffee Shop Proprietors General Association president. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, November 12, 2018.

MORE than 20,000 restaurant owners under the umbrella of three associations are against the Health Ministry’s move to ban smoking in all food premises from January 1.

The three associations are the Malaysia-Singapore Coffee Shop Proprietors General Association (MSCSPGA), Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association (Presma) and Malaysian Indian Restaurant Owners Association (Primas).

MSCSPGA president Ho Su Mong, said a blanket smoking ban in all restaurants would not help to get smokers to kick the habit.

He said the government should not totally ban smoking in restaurants, but introduce smoking zones or cubicles like in Japan and Singapore.

“These cubicles or zones will ensure that non-smokers aren’t affected by cigarette smoke. This is how we can help keep the air smoke-free,” he said at a press conference today.

In early September, Deputy Health Minister Dr Lee Boon Chye, said smoking will be banned in all eateries, including in the outdoor sections. As a consequence, anyone caught breaching the ban will face a fine of RM10,000, with eateries that fail to enforce the law, slapped with a fine of RM2,500.

Ho said the objection did not mean that the associations encouraged smoking, merely that everyone should be accorded their rights.

Ho said he has sent a letter to the ministry to hold a discussion to find a win-win solution.

Meanwhile, Primas president T. Muthusamy, said that banning smoking in restaurants or food premises will affect their income as almost 40% of the customers were smokers.

He said the government had to take into account the impact such a move would have on the restaurants’ business, following which it was hoped the government would reconsider the ban. – Bernama, November 12, 2018.

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Comments

  • No, we should support total ban since it poses as a major health hazard and forces non-smokers like us to inhale and tolerate the dirty ashes and cigarette butts scattered around on the floor. Non-smokers like us have our rights to be considered too!

    Posted 5 years ago by Tiong Fee Chua · Reply

    • TOTAL BAN LIKE IN DEVELOPED COUNTRIES TO PROTECT CHILDREN, WOMEN & NON-SMOKERS FROM HARMFUL CIGARETTE SMOKE FOR A MORE DISCIPLINED SOCIETY? WHY NOT?..

      Posted 5 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply

  • Just total ban it. After all Malaysian are natural fond law breakers .

    Posted 5 years ago by TC BOY · Reply

  • These people just worried their profits will be affected. Manage with it.. How selfish can the restaurants associations be to encourage smoking at the expense of peoples health. They are just thinking of their profits!!

    Posted 5 years ago by TTs Take · Reply

  • SHUT DOWN ALL THESE 20,000 shops

    Posted 5 years ago by Arshad Lazim · Reply

  • I support for the total ban..those ignorance smoker doesn't care if there is children or baby around..

    Posted 5 years ago by Khairul Anuar · Reply

  • If the government do a u-turn on the smoking ban it will be another flip flop decision by the government. The majority of the people are for the smoking ban. Non smokers have a right to live a long and healthy life and the government is suppose to protect our rights and our health..and also to protect the innocent workers working in the premises as well. Restaurant owners must not just think about the money, give some thoughts to your innocent workers as well.

    Posted 5 years ago by Lily Cheong · Reply