No smoking even in open-air eateries by July next year, says Dr Lee

MALIM NAWAR, Nov 5 — Open-air or non-conditioned eateries will be off limits to smokers from July next year, according to Deputy Health Minister Dr Lee Boon Chye.

He told reporters here today that smokers will be given a grace period of six months from January 1, next year, to stop smoking in open-air eateries following a nationwide ban on smoking in restaurants.

He denied that the move is intended to punish smokers but instead to help reduce smoking.

“During the grace period, we will only give verbal warning to smokers if they smoke in an open-air eatery or non-air-conditioned restaurant.

“However, if the smokers refuse to heed the warnings and continue to smoke, then the smoker will be fined immediately,” he said after visiting the Malim Nawar Health Clinic here.

Dr Lee also urged restaurant owners to display the no-smoking signs and dispose of all ashtrays in their premises if they want to avoid being fined when a customer lights up in their premises.  

Last month, Dr Lee announced that the government will ban smoking in all eateries throughout Malaysia from next year onwards, including in open-air outlets.

He said action under the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations 2004 will be taken against restaurant owners and smokers who flout the ruling.

“Eateries that allow customers to smoke despite the ban will be fined up to RM2,500, while those who smoke at prohibited places will face a maximum fine of RM10,000 or two years’ jail,” he said.

Dr Lee hopes that the public will cooperate in heeding the smoking ban as there is an ample notice for compliance.

“So far, even though we have not imposed the ban, I hardly see any smokers in open-air restaurants in my parliament area. This is already a good sign and achieves our intended motive,” he added.

Meanwhile, Dr Lee also said that they have designated an open-air smoking area on the first floor in the Parliament building following the smoking ban in the Parliament, which came into effect last month.

“No new compound notice has been issued apart from the eight fines — including on a MP —which were issued last month,” he said.

Previously, the ministry planned to designate a smoking area outside the Parliament building.