Dr Jamilah Hashim
KUCHING: The Sarawak Health Department has issued 1,622 warning notices in the first 18 days since the state started implementing the smoking ban in eateries.
The department’s director Dr Jamilah Hashim said 5,876 food premises out of the 8,090 were checked from March 1 to 18.
She explained 178 warning notices were issued to smokers for committing offence under Regulation 11(1)(d) of the Control of Tobacco Product (Amendment) Regulations 2018.
The other 1,396 notices and 48 notices respectively were issued to proprietors of eateries under Regulation 12(1)(a) and Regulation 12(1)(b).
It was learnt the offence under Regulation 12(1)(a) is for not displaying the ‘No Smoking’ sign while Regulation 12(1)(b) is for not stopping smokers by putting ashtrays at their premises.
“For the 178 warning notices issued to smokers, the highest number recorded was in Kuching with 47 notices, followed by Miri (41), Mukah (23), Sarikei (18), Bintulu (18), Samarahan (11), Serian (six), Kapit (five), Limbang (four), Sri Aman (three), Sibu (two), and Betong (zero).
“Miri has the highest number of warning offences issued under Regulation 12(1)(a) with 342, followed by Sibu (214), Bintulu (190), Kuching (132), Mukah (114), Sarikei (113), Samarahan (95), Limbang (94), Serian (41), Betong, (40), Kapit (13) and Sri Aman (8).
“For the 48 warning notices under Regulation 12(1)(b), the Health Divisional Office Bintulu issued the most notices with 19 followed by Kuching (12), Samarahan (six), Limbang (six), Miri (three), Betong (one) and Sarikei (one),” she said in a statement issued late last night.
She also said 106 complaints were received regarding smokers who smoke at eateries, while four complaints were for proprietors who failed to display ‘No Smoking’ sign, during the same period.
Sarawak was the last state to implement the smoking ban at eateries, following the state cabinet decision on Jan 24.
According to Dr Jamilah, the Sarawak Health Department commenced its educational enforcement since March 1 since the ban took effect.
“The Department received very good cooperation from all the food outlet proprietors. Generally, they are satisfied with the improved cleanliness level at their premises as there are no disposal of cigarette butts. The smokers also gave good cooperation by not smoking at the prohibited area.
“The response from customers were also encouraging as they are satisfied with the cleaner air at the food outlets,” she said.
She also said the department provides mQuit services to help smokers quit their habit. The service is now offered at 41 government clinics, three government hospitals and four private medical facilities throughout Sarawak.
“The department is hopeful that all food outlet proprietors will take action by displaying proper No Smoking signages and we also appeal to the public to always abide by the law and not smoke at eateries,” she said.