Smoking ban a national policy to create healthy environment – Padungan rep
KUCHING: The Sarawak government should exercise its autonomous power in the right way, rather than using it to reject a policy that is aimed at promoting a healthy environment for all.
In asserting this yesterday, Padungan assemblyman Wong King Wei regarded the federal government’s smoking ban at all eateries as ‘a national policy meant to create a healthier eating environment in society’.
“There is no reason for ( Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk) Dr Sim ( Kui Hian) to reject it (the smoking ban) although local authorities are under the Sarawak government’s jurisdiction and power,” he told The Borneo Post here.
He was prompted for comments on Dr Sim’s remarks on Sunday that the new policy to be enforced by the federal government from Jan 1 next year, ‘does not apply to Sarawak – unless the Sarawak government adopts it’.
Wong opined that many smokers might condemn the federal government for implementing the smoking ban, but said they should realise that such policy ‘is perfectly good in creating a healthier and caring society’.
In pointing out that both smokers and non- smokers are sharing a common community, he said everyone should always think from the perspective of others.
Wong said for non- smokers, especially those with respiratory problems, children and senior citizens, they do have the need to enjoy clean air while enjoying their food.
“For smokers, they can always go to a spot further from the eateries to smoke if they really need to smoke. This is tolerance that we have to practise in our society,” said the Democratic Action Party (DAP) lawmaker.
Relating his personal experience, Wong said he and his family would not hesitate to change the dining place if there are too many smokers around. He said they would pick a table where there would be no smokers nearby.
“However, more often than not, smokers appear only after we take the seat and order our food. We cannot leave because we have already placed our order.
“To be fair to the non- smokers and families like us, smokers can be considerate by leaving the dining place for a minute to smoke and then, come back for their food,” said Wong.
He noted that many smokers might not be happy with him supporting the ban, but he believed that keeping eateries a smokingfree zone is ‘a tolerance that society should observe and practise’.
As such, Wong called upon Dr Sim to exercise Sarawak’s autonomy ‘in a rightful manner’ by adopting the smoking ban for the benefit of Sarawakians at large.
In October this year, Deputy Minister of Health Dr Lee Boon Chye announced to enforce the smoking ban at all eateries, air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned, including restaurants, coffee shops, open-air hawker’s centres and street stalls – effective Jan 1 next year.
Any individual caught smoking at prohibited areas will face a RM10,000 fine, and any eatery found not enforcing the ban will be fined RM2,500.