KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 30 — The smoking ban at all prohibited areas will be effective January 1 and those flouting the law will be subjected to a compound of RM250, said health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
He said for first-time offenders, the compound can be reduced to RM150 if payment is made at any district health office within one month from the compound issuance date.
For second-time repeat offenders, he said there will be no discount to the compound while repeat offenders will be charged with a RM350 compound.
“Under Regulation 12 of the Tobacco Control Regulation (PPKHT) 2004 (amended) 2018, owners of the eateries must ensure that their premises are smoke-free and they are also prohibited from providing amenities for smokers such as ashtrays and shisha services.
“For enforcement purposes, beginning January 1, the owner of the premises can be compounded up to RM250 for the first and second offences while for the third and subsequent offences, they will be slapped with a higher compound of RM350,” he said in a statement today.
He said the owners should ensure that there were adequate no smoking signage clearly displayed in the premises.
The cooperation and support of all parties, especially the Ministry of Housing and Local Government was essential to ensure smooth implementation of the Tobacco Control Regulations (PPKHT) 2004 this Wednesday for the sake of health and well-being of Malaysians, he said.
He said the ministry has gazetted all food and beverages outlets nationwide as no smoking areas effective January 1, 2019, with an educational enforcement period in place for 12 months.
All mQuit smoking services are available at all government health clinics and hospitals across the country or any privately-funded private mQuit smoking facility.
For details, go to http://jomquit.moh.gov.my or call 03-8883 4400.
— Bernama
