MEDICAL specialists have objected the government’s proposal to provide dedicated smoking areas in public space.

The Public Health Specialists Association said the Housing and Local Government Ministry’s proposal for smoking zones gave the impression that smoking was an acceptable lifestyle choice.

“When the ministry undertakes initiative to provide smoking zones, they may feel it is a good move but for us it appears to be the opposite to the message being sent by the Health Ministry,” said association president Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar at a press conference today.

“It does not make sense.”

He said it was illogical to waste public money on creating smoking zones when smoking has been barred in places such as restaurants.

He added that there were sufficient places for people to light up outside the no-smoking zones.

He said the association approved of the a decision to create proper disposal facilities for smokers to discard cigarette butts but it was opposed to the creation of special areas for smoking.

“We believe this initiative of the ministry will only encourage people to smoke, and wrongly assume that it is a healthy lifestyle. We know smoking is bad for health and the environment.

“It is strange when a government agency will undertake such an initiative, especially when the people are against public smoking.”

He added that 56 other groups also opposed the idea.

Beginning January 1, a no-smoking ban was enforced in all restaurants, including the mamak.

However earlier this week, Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said designated smoking areas could be built outside the eateries and in public areas.

She said restaurant operators could apply to their local councils to set up these zones at their own expense.

She said RM1 million had been set aside for local councils to set up designated smoking areas in public areas such as food courts and parks.

“This is to satisfy the smokers and show that the government is concerned about their plight. We provide the facility so that they are more willing to comply with the no-smoking policy,” Zuraida had said on Tuesday.

Dr Zainal however felt the RM1 million allocation can be better utilised to treat smokers and fund anti-smoking activities.

He said a survey conducted by Public Health Malaysia on Facebook on January 8 showed that 93% of its 12,000 followers reject the idea of smoking zones. 

“We urge the ministry to withdraw this initiative.” – January 10, 2020.