NGO’s want the state government to enforce more stringent laws concerning the smoking ban in eateries. AFP File Photo
KUCHING: Twelve local non governmental organisations (NGOs) have called on the state government to extend the smoking ban at all eateries in Sarawak as soon as possible.
In a joint statement, they acknowledged that the Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian will be presenting a cabinet paper on the subject on Jan 24.
“We urge him (Dr Sim) and the rest of the state government to propose and endorse a more stringent piece of legislation than has been implemented in Peninsular Malaysia.
“We also ask that it be done as soon as possible with the proper education for both eateries and smokers,” said the statement.
The 12 signatories of the statement are Society for Cancer Advocacy and Awareness Kuching (SCAN), National Cancer Society Of Malaysia Sarawak Branch (NCSM Sarawak), Sarawak Breast Cancer Support Group (SBCSG), Pink Ribbon Support Group Sarawak, Pink and Teal EmpowHer, Prostate Cancer Society East Malaysia, Kuching Life Care Society, Palliative Care Association of Miri, Befrienders Kuching and Sarawak AIDS Concern Society (SACS).
They said studies have also shown that such bans have no long-term impact on the food and beverages industry and even positive impact have been noted as more customers welcome smoke-free environments.
“Therefore we are in favour for the smoking ban at all eateries in Sarawak to be implemented swiftly”.
They added smoking itself has been shown to be harmful in all kinds of ways to smokers and those that are exposed to secondhand smoke.
“Action is urgently needed as lung cancer is the second most common cancer in Malaysian men and the third most common overall in the country. In Sarawak the estimated 25 percent of the population who smoke are putting at risk the 75 percent who don’t, as well as jeopardising their own health.”
The whole country, except Sarawak and Sabah, imposed a nationwide ban on smoking in eateries effective Jan 1.
It was reported earlier that Sarawak and Sabah have put on hold the smoking ban in order to look into the respective states’ own local government ordinances on the matter.
Sabah has however decided to enforce the nationwide smoking ban at public eateries on Feb 1.
As for Sarawak, Jan 24 will be the day when the state cabinet decides on the mechanism to enforce the smoking ban at all eateries in the state.