THE Health Ministry today announced that smoking and vaping are prohibited at eateries nationwide starting next year.

Deputy Minister Dr Lee Boon Chye said offenders will be slapped with a RM250 fine, with the amount reduced to RM150 if the payment is settled within a month.

“If they are stubborn and refuse to pay up, a fine of up to RM10,000 can be imposed,” he told a press conference after officiating at a seminar on antimicrobial resistance at Universiti Sains Malaysia in George Town.

He said the no-smoking drive over the past year has led to a significant reduction in the number of people lighting up at eateries, especially in urban areas.

“We hope this policy will get a lot of support from the public.

“The non-smokers are of course quite happy, (but) for the smokers, I do hope they take this opportunity to quit or reduce smoking, or at least not smoke in front of other people,” he said, adding that 21% of Malaysian adults smoke. – Bernama, December 20, 2019.