SRDC to ensure smokers abide by smoking ban at eateries

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Sempurai (fifth right) and divisional health officer Dr Teh Jo Hun (sixth right) witnessing the putting up of a ‘No Smoking’ sign at a coffee shop in Sibu Jaya.

SIBU: Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) will continue with its effort to ensure smokers abide by smoking ban at eateries, its chairman Sempurai Petrus Ngelai said.

“We do understand the teething problems arising from this ban, especially with regard to smokers’ change of habit.

“But we believe smokers will eventually get used to the smoking ban elsewhere other than at eateries,” he said.

Speaking to reporters after witnessing the putting up of a ‘No Smoking’ sign at a coffee shop in Sibu Jaya here yesterday, Sempurai said the government has for a long time banned smoking in public places like parks and gardens as well as government department premises.

“Since smokers no longer have problems refraining from taking out a cigarette at these places, they should be able to do likewise at coffee shops in time to come,” he pointed out.

He added the council is complementing the efforts of Sibu Divisional Health Office to raise awareness of the harm cigarette smoke has on the people.

Sempurai said SRDC’s effort in connection with the smoking ban is focusing more on the rural areas where people are less likely to have information on various policies of the government and what it is doing for the people’s benefit.