Most smoking ban warnings issued to eatery owners

KUCHING: Food outlet operators made up the majority of those issued with warning notices during the first 18 days of the implementation of the smoking ban at eateries in Sarawak.

Sarawak health di rector Dr Jamilah Hashim said the department issued 1,622 warning notices after inspecting 5,876 food premises from March 1-18.

She said 178 warning notices were issued to smokers for committing of fences under Regulat ion 11(1)(d) of the Control of Tobacco Product (Amendment) Regulations 2018.

Another 1,396 notices were issued to proprietors of eateries under Regulation 12(1)(a) for not displaying the ‘No Smoking’ sign, while 48 notices were issued under Regulation 12(1)(b) for not stopping smokers by continuing to provide ashtrays at their premises.

“For the 178 warning notices issued to smokers, the highest number recorded was in Kuching with 47 notices, followed by Miri ( 41), Mukah ( 23), Sarikei ( 18), Bintulu ( 18), Samarahan ( 11), Serian (6), Kapit (5), Limbang (4), Sri Aman (3) and Sibu (2) ” she said in a statement on Tuesday.

“Miri had the highest number of warning offences issued under Regulation 12( 1)( a) with 342, followed by Sibu ( 214), Bintulu ( 190), Kuching ( 132), Mukah (114), Sarikei (113), Samarahan ( 95), Limbang ( 94), Serian ( 41), Betong ( 40), Kapit (13), and Sri Aman (8).”

She said for the 48 warning notices under Regulation 12(1)( b), the Bintulu Divisional Health Office issued the most notices with 19, followed by Kuching (12), Samarahan (6), Limbang (6), Miri (3), Betong (1), and Sarikei (1).

Dr Jamilah said 106 complaints were received regarding customers smoking at eateries, while four complaints were for proprietors who failed to display the ‘ No Smoking’ sign during the same period.

She said the Health Department started its educational enforcement when the ban took effect in Sarawak on March 1.

“The department received very good cooperation from all the food outlet proprietors. Generally, they are satisfied with the improved cleanliness level at their premises as there are no disposal of cigarette butts.

“The smokers also gave good cooperation by not smoking at the prohibited area.

“The response from customers was a l so encourag ing a s they are satisfied with the cleaner air at the food outlets,” she said.

Dr Jamilah pointed out the department provides mQuit services at 41 government clinics, three government hospitals, and four private medical facilities across Sarawak to help smokers quit.

“The department is hopeful that all food outlet proprietors will take action by displaying proper ‘No Smoking’ signage and we also appeal to the public to always abide by the law and not smoke at eateries,” she said.

Sarawak was the last to implement the nat ionwide smoking ban at eateries.