The move to impose a fine on small business operators, should their customers smoke within their premises, is improper and burdensome, said Asean Traders Association president Moehamad Izat Emir.

He said even though the government also imposed a fine on the smokers, it did not mean that they would comply with the regulations as the traders would have no control over their actions.

"As a result, the traders will face the repercussions as they cannot tell their customers to stop smoking and abide by the government regulations.

"... the drastic measures taken by the government in enforcing the ban have caught the petty traders by surprise," he said in a media statement here today.

In October, the Health Ministry announced that smoking in all restaurants, coffee shops and hawker centres nationwide, including open-air eateries, would be banned starting 2019,.

Those caught smoking in prohibited areas would be fined up to RM10,000 or face two years' jail, while food outlet operators found to have allowed customers to light up would be fined up to RM5,000 or face up to one year in jail.

- Bernama