AN average of 319 smokers are issued compounds each day for lighting up in prohibited areas nationwide.
More than 40 per cent of these smokers were caught in restaurants, in defiance of the 2019 ban on doing so.
The startling figures provided by the Health Ministry underscore the challenges of enforcing the ban as smokers appear undeterred.
Now and then, social media will be abuzz with videos of people smoking in restaurants, leading to claims that enforcement is lacking.
The Health Ministry, however, insists that its 5,766 enforcement officers are on the case.
In the first four months of this year alone, 38,347 compounds were issued under the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations 2004 (CTPR), which covers eateries. Of this number, 16,705 people were fined for smoking in dining areas.
Under the law, violators face fines of up to RM10,000 or up to two years in jail. Restaurant owners risk a RM5,000 fine or up to a year in jail.
Selangor has the most number of offenders with 6,174 compounds issued, followed by Pahang (5,054), Johor (3,824), Penang (2,974), Sarawak (2,680), Kedah (2,562), Perak (2,538), Kelantan (2,567) and Negeri Sembilan (2,322).
A total of 2,224 compounds were issued in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, Sabah saw 1,920 compounds issued, followed by Terengganu (1,828), Perlis (806), Melaka (792) and Labuan (82).
Part of the problem, the ministry told the New Sunday Times was that some smokers did not perceive the outdoor seating of eateries as non-smoking areas.
There are also those who just do not care about the rules.
“Some smokers continue to ignore the ban, regardless of the education and enforcement that have been conducted.
“This non-compliance and ignorance pose difficulties for enforcement officers and a threat to public health,” the ministry said.
The ministry said the ban on smoking at eateries was crucial to safeguarding public health and it was determined to see its success by roping in other agencies.
“Other agencies have shown their interest and concern by offering to enforce the smoking ban in the gazetted areas, especially at their facilities and premises,” the ministry said.
At the same time, the new Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024, will replace the CTPR.
The ministry said when the new Act was enforced, Health Ministry enforcement officers as well those from other agencies would be granted new authorisation that would support enforcement of the the smoking ban, which would include e-cigarettes.
Beyond the “stick” approach, the ministry said it was intent on raising public awareness of the new law.
Last month, the ministry began a nationwide roadshow and had also engaged communities on the new law which covers the ban on smoking at eateries.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, who pushed for the smoking ban during his first stint in office, is involved in the Clean, Smoke-Free Premises programme to boost the policy’s success.
The walkabout programme sees Dzulkefly engaging restaurant associations, non-governmental organisations and community leaders to identify challenges on the ground.
So far, Dzulkefly has met stakeholders in Kuala Lumpur and Negeri Sembilan, and will continue to do so nationwide.
Source: NST
