City Hall cannot penalise smokers
KOTA KINABALU: The City Hall is prepared to work with the Health Ministry for the smooth implementation of the smoking ban on Feb 1.
Mayor Datuk Nordin Siman told reporters that they will give full support to the ministry concerned and stated that his team will work alongside the team from the ministry for the implementation of the ban in Kota Kinabalu.
However he said that the City Hall has no power to penalise anyone caught smoking in public places.
“What we can do is to instill awareness on the matter by campaigning and putting up posters,” he said.
Reporters were also reminded that the City Hall also has a similar campaign geared towards litterbugs who indiscriminately throw their cigarette buds wherever they pleased.
Nordin added that they are still waiting for the details of the new ban from the federal and state governments.
He also noted that some restaurateurs have already put up anti-smoking posters at their outlets to remind patrons of the smoking ban.
The state government will enforce the nationwide smoking ban at public eateries in Sabah on February 1.
However, the ban, which is regulated under the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations (Amendments) 2018, will undergo an educational enforcement period from February 1 to June 30, during which no compounds will be issued.
Health and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk Stephen Wong Tien Fatt on Wednesday said compounds would only be issued out to wrongdoers from July 1.
Luyang assemblyman Ginger Phoong expressed his support for the smoking ban at public places, citing that it was really about respecting each other when we are at public places.
He said that it was disrespectful for a person to smoke when they are near a pregnant woman, for example as this will impact on the health of both mother and the child she is bearing.
“We need to inculcate that feeling of respect for one another,” he said.
Earlier, Nordin, Phoong and Kota Kinabalu member of parliament Chan Foong Hin organised a walkabout at the Foh Sang area in Luyang and visited surrounding stalls.
“We are here to facilitate growth