1,998 notices issued to smokers at eateries — Dr Jamilah

SIBU: The Sarawak Health Department has issued a total of 1,998 notices to people who smoked at eateries in Sarawak between March 1 and April 30.

Its director Dr Jamilah Hashim said from the figure, 264 notices were issued under Regulation 11(1)(d) of Tobacco Product Regulations 2004 (Amendment 2018), 1,668 notices under Regulation 12(1)(a) and 66 under Regulation 12(1)(b), as of April 30.

The breakdown by division under Regulation 11(1)(d) of Tobacco Product Regulations 2004 (Amendment 2018), shows that 84 notices were issued in Kuching, Miri (49), Mukah (40), Bintulu (19), Sarikei (18) Limbang (14), Samarahan (13), Sri Aman (eight), Serian (seven), Kapit (six), Betong (four) and Sibu (two).

As for notices under Regulation 12(1)(a), Miri has the most with 408, Sibu (234), Kuching (209), Bintulu (197), Mukah (118), Sarikei (113), Samarahan (107), Limbang (105), Betong (91), Serian (64), Kapit (13), and Sri Aman (nine).

Dr Jamilah said Kuching issued the most notices under Regulation 12(1)(b) at 28, Bintulu (19), Limbang (eight), Samarahan (six), Miri (three), Betong and Sarikei (one each), whereas no notices were issued from other five divisions.

“There were no reports of open challenge by any errant smoker to the authority when asked not to smoke,” Dr Jamilah said when asked on the warning issued since the implementation of smoking ban in Sarawak on March 1.

She added the inspection was conducted on a weekly basis until end of this month.

“About 80 per cent out of 8,090 registered eateries have put up the no smoking signs. Most of smokers are aware of the ban. They are cashing in on the grace period,” Dr Jamilah added.