Smoking ban: Coordination vital in addressing overlapping issues between federal, state laws, says Dr Dzulkefly
KUCHING: The Ministry of Health ( MoH) has acknowledged that the Sarawak government, through the local authorities, will coordinate the implementation of the rules under the Control of Tobacco Products Regulation 2004, of the Food Act 1983.
In a statement released in Putrajaya yesterday, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkef ly Ahmad said this coordination was necessary so that enforcement could be carried out effectively and overlapping issues between the federal and state laws could be overcome.
Dr Dzulkef ly made this statement in reference to an article published in The Borneo Post yesterday about ‘smoking ban doesn’t apply to Sarawak’.
“I have contacted Sarawak’s state Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian to get an understanding on the matter.
“I’m delighted that Datuk Dr Sim and the Sarawak government fully support the KKM’s ( Health Ministry) efforts in implementing amendments to the ‘ No Smoking Regulation’, which involves both airconditioned and non- air conditioned eateries including open- air eateries,” he said.
Dr Dzulkef ly said the statement by Dr Sim could have been misinterpreted by some people with regards to the smoking ban at eateries in Sarawak.
“I wish to thank all those who have expressed their continuous support towards the smoking ban, which is to be implemented.
“I call for unwavering support from people of all walks of life so that the government’s objective of ensuring every citizen would be protected from the danger of smoking would be achieved,” he added.