Praise for new smoking control law but more awareness needed

The Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852), which came into force yesterday, has received a positive reaction from the community, especially restaurateurs who have taken steps to display no smoking signs on their premises.

However, there is a section of the community who are insensitive to the enforcement of the act and continue smoking shamelessly in public areas in blatant disregard for the no-smoking signage displayed.

A Bernama survey at several premises, especially restaurants in Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi and Kota Warisan in Sepang, found groups of recalcitrant customers smoking electronic cigarettes or vaping.

A customer, Nordila Yasir, 40, praised the government’s measures and believes that they will curb the culture of smoking in public places, especially in restaurants, which is the focus of customers, particularly those with families.

Restaurants in Meru Raya, Taman Canning and Jalan Lim Bo Seng in Perak also saw customers continue smoking at their dining tables even though the ban was already in effect.

A restaurant worker, Sahul Hamid, 45, said restaurateurs always remind customers to observe the no smoking rule at their food premises, but the signs end up being mere decorative pieces on the walls because few customers follow the rule.

“It has become their habit to light up after a meal, although some customers do leave the premises for a while to smoke. However, some do not care as they say enforcement is not as strict as it used to be,” he said.

Continuous monitoring

P-hailing food delivery rider Muhd Fuzi Abdullah, 29, from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, said most people do not smoke or vape in public places, but some do so at night when there are fewer people.

“I propose enforcement officers make their rounds, especially at night when friends go ‘kupi-kupi’ (go for coffee) at the mamak stalls,” he said.

On average, people in the community hope that more education and awareness efforts related to Act 852 will be expanded in addition to continuous monitoring to ensure the effective implementation of the act.

Herbal product entrepreneur Rosamsidah Mohd Fadzir, 46, from Kuantan, Pahang, said that among parents, the implementation of the long-awaited act needs to be intensified with wider exposure.

This, she said, could be done by both community or area leaders.

“This is one of the important measures in protecting our children’s health. As a mother of four, I am worried about the sale of vape, especially when it was freely sold everywhere without any restrictions on who buys it before the existence of this act,” she said.

Take stern action

Isma Ismail, 42, from Taman Mergong, Alor Setar in Kedah, said strict action should also be taken against anyone who smokes cigarettes and e-cigarettes in eateries, business premises, shopping centres and government establishments.

“The current enforcement is lax; that’s why they (smokers) are not afraid to smoke in these areas concerned,” Isma said.

Hafiz Ahmad, 40, an employee of a vape shop in Sungai Dua, Penang, said following the enforcement of the act yesterday, he took the initiative of removing all forms of “display” signages in front of the shop including buntings to comply with the guidelines.

“What the government is doing is good, especially regarding restrictions on minors, but on behalf of entrepreneurs, we hope that we can be given time to adhere to all the new guidelines that have been set,” he said.

Kelantan Health Department director Dr Zaini Hussin, when contacted, said for the time being, they are giving briefings to agencies in addition to educating the public.

He said that his team has not carried out any operations so far and hopes that the public, including traders, will get an accurate explanation of the law.

Terengganu Health Department director Dr Kasemani Embong said his team would hold a special meeting to discuss operations and other enforcement measures.

However, he also said the routine operations of enforcing the ban on smoking in eateries, restaurants and public places were still ongoing.

- Bernama

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