‘All food, drinks premises have complied with no-smoking directive’

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KUCHING: All premises selling food and drinks have put up the ‘No Smoking’ sign in compliance with the smoking ban enforced under the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations 2004 (Amendment 2018).

The smoking ban – now at the educational enforcement phase – came into effect on Jan 1 in Peninsular Malaysia, Feb 1 in Sabah and March 1 in Sarawak.

Billy (right) speaks to journalists after the launching of the national-level World Environmental Health Day .

Sarawak chief environmental health officer Billy Sujang said his enforcement officers had visited all the food and drinks outlets in Sarawak and they all adhered to the requirement.

“All of them (food premises) have put up the signage. We visited all, at least one correct signage per shop,” he said when met by journalists after the launch of the national-level World Environmental Health Day 2019 at Penview Convention Centre here yesterday.

The smoking ban requires all food and drinks premises to display at least one standard ‘No Smoking’ sign measuring 40cm x 50cm, and can no longer provide ashtrays or other objects that allow smokers to dispose of cigarette butts.

Smokers who wish to light up must keep a distance of at least 3m from the premises.

According to Billy, bistros and pubs are not covered under the present law but the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations 2004 is slated for Amendment 2019 January next year.

“They can still smoke inside those bistros or pubs, but it’s up to the owners. Certain areas especially a bistro at Jalan Song has already put up (the ‘No Smoking’ sign). I commend that shop, they put up ‘No Smoking’ inside and outside (the premises).

“Bistros and pubs are not covered because the law is still not amended. By January, all the bistros will be covered. But we will see how far they can come up with that law,” he said.

Asked how many notices had been issued during the educational enforcement thus far, he said he cannot release the figure until the state Health Department director endorsed it.

“We are still carrying out education enforcement. Full enforcement will be next year, January.

“By January, compound of RM250 each will be issued. We can bring them (offenders) to court, even. The maximum fine is up to RM10,000 or two year’s jail,” he added.

Billy said offenders who were slapped with compound could ask for reduction for the first and second offences.

“But after that, either we drag them to court or no reduction for compound. For the educational enforcement now, we only advise them (smokers).

“By January, if smokers are still caught smoking, it is not the fault of shop owners, it is them (smokers),” he said.

In the event that food premises were found not displaying the ‘No Smoking’ sign, they will be issued a compound of RM250 under Section 12 of the same law, Billy pointed out.

He added that owners of premises selling food and drinks who infringe the policy would face a maximum fine of RM3,000 or a one year imprisonment.