Smoking allowed no closer than 3m from restaurant, says deputy minister

Updated 7 years ago · Published on 17 Dec 2018 5:03PM · 2 Comments

AFTER outcry from smokers as well as restaurants on the Health Ministry’s smoking ban at eateries from January, patrons may now do so provided they stay 3m away from the premises.

Deputy Health Minister Dr Lee Boon Chye said this was a compromise, as the ministry did not agree to requests by restaurant operators to allow for separate smoking zones at their outlets.

“We explained (to restaurant operators) that smokers can still smoke as long as they are 10 feet (3m) away from the non-smoking zone,” he was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times at a press conference.

He disagreed with smoking areas at eateries, saying the idea went against the World Health Organisation’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

Dr Lee said restaurant operators have also been told to remove ashtrays from dining tables and to put up no-smoking signs when the ban takes force on January 1.

Operators can also call a special ministry hotline to lodge a complaint against customers who refuse to adhere to the ban.

He said officers will then go to the eatery in question and deal with the smoker personally.

To date, the ministry has held briefings for more than 3,000 restaurants and eateries on the ban.

Dr Lee said most of them supported the ministry’s efforts to protect the public’s health.

When the ban was announced, eatery operators had complained, saying it would affect their businesses.

Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad has since remained firm on the ban, saying public health was more important.

Patrons caught smoking at eateries can be fined a maximum RM10,000 or jailed up to two years, while restaurant operators who do not put up no-smoking signs can be fined not more than RM3,000 or jailed up to six months.

Dr Lee said the ministry’s enforcement officials would give warnings for the first six months of the ban as part of educating society about the new law and to encourage healthier habits. – December 17, 2018.
 

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Comments

  • Dr Lee Boon Chye, the last thing we need is a deputy health minister who believes it is his duty to protect he rakyat from the evils of secondary smoke. While it is true that there are few reasons to promote cigarette smoking, there are even fewer reasons to introduce unnecessary legislation that will only serve to increase the levels of stress among the populace (especially the smokers among us, who contribute immensely to taxes paid on tobacco). Don't sweat the small stuff, focusing on trivial issues. The legal smoking age is 18 and you must assume that those who indulge are adults, capable of accepting responsibility for their own actions. I agree that smoking areas are a good idea, because the smell of tobacco smoke can be annoying to non-smokers, what you are proposing smacks of bureaucratic hubris and pomposity. Please take a chill pill and apply your dedication to work in a more meaningful direction.

    Posted 7 years ago by Antares Maitreya · Reply

  • Enclosed space is the way. Distance is useless as the wind blows the pre-loved exhaust your way, Unless the location of the separate space is varied according to the season. If u need help, get someone from jabatan kajicocacola to assist to advise. No need fengshui master.

    Posted 7 years ago by Mr Anderson · Reply