ALTHOUGH smoking will be banned at all restaurants, the sale of cigarettes at these premises will not be, Penang Health exco Dr Afif Bahardin said today.

He said there was still no directive on cigarette sales at restaurants.

The Seberang Jaya assemblyman also said there was also no ruling from the Health Ministry stating restaurant owners could provide smoking areas for their customers within their premises.

“The designated smoking area is outside the restaurants.

“The aim is to change all areas into no smoking areas, except for some places,” he said.

Putrajaya is imposing a nationwide ban on smoking at restaurants beginning January 1 next year.

H’ng Mooi Lye (PH-Jawi) had asked whether restaurateurs would still be allowed to sell cigarettes at their premises following the ban, and whether local councils would make it compulsory for eateries to set up smoking areas within their premises for their customers.

“I think it would be hypocritical if we allow them to sell cigarettes at their premises when smoking is prohibited at restaurants,” H’ng said.

Yesterday, Health Minister Dr Dzulkifly Ahmad said the government was sticking to the plan without any compromise, despite protests by restauranteurs.

Penang has embarked on no smoking initiatives for several years now, with the aim to make the state smoke-free within five years. 

Smoking within Unesco World Heritage Zones has been banned since January 2016. Smoking in the heritage enclave is only allowed at private homes and designated areas marked with smoking signposts.

On whether the authorities had the manpower to enforce the ban, Dr Afif said that this may be a weakness.

He said it had been suggested to the Health Ministry to empower local councils to conduct enforcement.

“There are several issues concerning enforcement, including the compound for being caught smoking. Will the money go to the local councils or the ministry?

“All that is still being discussed.” – November 15, 2018.