Anak Negeri considers RM10,000 smoking penalty ‘overkill’

KOTA KINABALU: The RM10,000 maximum fine imposed for smoking at prohibited areas in Sabah is an overkill, said Parti Kerjasama Anak Negeri (Anak Negeri) president Datuk Henrynus Amin.

“I support the smoking ban. I think the educational enforcement is a good idea, but we (Anak Negeri) still think the hefty fine of RM10,000 is too high,” Henrynus told The Borneo Post here yesterday.

“We prefer a small fine of RM100 compound (for first offenders) and up to double for repeat offenders. Fine should not be more than RM2,000.

“To fine smokers who smoke in the wrong place with RM10,000 is like using a sledge hammer to kill a mosquito. As you can see, even drug users are also fined RM2,000 only. Is smoking more serious than drug (ab)use?” he questioned.

Henrynus, who is a non-smoker, reckoned that anyone who is thinking of it should quit the smoking habit.

“(The) smoking habit is becoming expensive and inconvenient. I think those who want to quit smoking can do so depending on their will power,” he said.

“I have seen friends who are heavy smokers but have managed to stop smoking. I heard chewing a form of chewing gum helps to alleviate cravings from smoking cigarettes,” added Henrynus.

The smoking ban, regulated under the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations (Amendments) 2018, will undergo an educational enforcement period from February 1 to June 30. The compound will be issued from July 1 onwards.

The ban will be enforced in 23 types of areas, like restaurants, air-conditioned shops, entertainment centres and theaters, hospitals and clinics, elevators and public toilets, any form of public transportation or transit centres, airports, and shopping malls, amongst others.

Those caught smoking at these prohibited areas can be fined a maximum of RM3,000 or jailed a maximum of two years. Restaurant owners who fail to put up no smoking signs face a fine not exceeding RM3,000 or up to six months imprisonment.

The Sabah Health Department will be assigning 747 enforcement officers to ensure compliance to the ban in Sabah.