Smoking in Parliament � MPs should lead by example
Dr Jacob George
1179986263
I am certain that I am not the only one happy to hear that Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has asked members of parliament and senators to tick off people who smoke at the Parliament House which has been gazetted as a non-smoking premise.
According to reports, Prime Minister Abdullah had stated that the ban on smoking was gazetted under Regulation 11 (1) (h) of the Tobacco Revenue Control Regulations 2004, which clearly states that smoking was prohibited at any government premises.
The PM felt that if MPs find there are people still smoking inside Parliament House, they should be ticked off.
Interestingly, the issue arose after Senator Wan Ubaidah Omar asked the prime minister whether the Parliament House would be gazetted as a non-smoking premise to serve as a model to the people.
But since when have our MPs worried about their behaviour at Parliament or of being a role model to the nation and ambassadors of their respective religions?
The reality and truth is that not one government building in the country can boast of upholding the smoking ban regulation at their corridors, lifts, bathrooms, canteen areas, offices, emergency stairs and lobbies!
Interestingly, will the PM instructions be adhered to or will this be yet another to join the long list of the 'PM's visions and desires' that have been sadly either ignored or waylaid.