The PH Gov’t is Seriously Trying to Ban Smoking at All Makan Places by Next Year

By Ammar Haziq  •  12 Oct 2018 in News

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The widely debated smoking ban on all makan places from high class restaurants to Ramli burger stalls, will come into effect on 1st January 2019 according to Deputy Health Minister Lee Boon Chye as reported by Sin Chew Daily.

The ban will cover all air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned restaurants, coffee shops, open-air hawker centres and street stalls across Malaysia–basically, every single makan spot you know.

Those who are caught smoking at prohibited areas will be fined RM10,000 while eatery owners will be fined RM2,500 if they fail to enforce the ban.

As reported by New Straits Times, a group of 30 medical associations supported the smoking ban and said research showed that non-smokers are at risk of developing serious health problems due to second hand smoking. “Side effects include severe and chronic asthma attacks. Cigarette smoke also increases the prevalence of respiratory tract and ear infections, premature births, and sudden death among babies and children,” the associations said in a joint statement.

Currently, the Control of Tobacco Product (Amendment) Regulations 2017 prohibits smoking in 21 areas including hospitals, public toilets, lifts, government premises as well as air-conditioned shops and offices.

According to Malay Mail, Lee reportedly proposed the closure of Parliament’s smoking room next month in a bid to turn the entire Parliament compound into a smoke-free zone.

Lee announced the mandatory ban while chairing a health forum in Sungai Petani, Kedah.

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