BUTTERWORTH: The government will stick to its decision to enforce smoking ban in all eateries nationwide on Jan 1.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said there would be no U-turn in the implementation of the smoking ban.
He said the smoking ban was nothing new and had been implemented in the past in several places.Eateries were the 23rd place where the smoking ban would be implemented.
"I am personally looking into the enforcement aspect with the Local Government Ministry and other relevant agencies," he said after launching the "Kampungku Sihat" programme.
Dr Dzulkefly said he had nothing against smokers but was only concerned that the cigarette smoke was affecting vulnerable groups such as young children, pregnant women and the elderly.
"We are just taking the necessary actions so the smoke is not exposed to non-target groups, in an effort to improve Malaysians' health," he said.
Back in October 2018, the ministry announced a smoking ban in all restaurants, coffee shops, hawker centres and open-air eateries nationwide from January this year.
Smokers were, however, allowed to light up three-metres away from the eateries.
The ministry also extended the educational enforcement period.
Those caught puffing away in prohibited areas will be fined up to RM10,000 or face two years' jail while eateries found to have allowed customers to light in their premises will be slapped with a maximum fine of RM2,500.
Last month, Dr Dzulkefly said the government was looking at enforcing community work orders (CWO) such as cleaning toilets, collecting rubbish and cutting grass for those who violated the smoking ban.
"We are in the midst of working out the details, to see how best we can implement the punishment. An announcement will be made before Jan 1," he said.
