Eateries object to smoking ban
We just want the right to serve all customers, say groups
KUALA LUMPUR: Coffeeshop and restaurant owners in the country are objecting against the move to ban smoking on their premises, claiming that the Health Ministry is now meddling into their businesses.
Leaders of three associations, who held a press conference to announce the unhappiness of their members over the ministry’s move, said the ban will discourage smoking patrons from coming and affecting business.
The associations are MalaysiaSingapore Coffee Shop Proprietors General Association (MSCSPGA), Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association (Presma) and the Malaysian Indian Restaurant Owners Association (Primas).
MSCSPGA president Datuk Ho Su Mong said the ministry has removed the restaurant operators’ rights to make decisions on their own businesses.
“Our eateries are not owned by the city council or the government. So shouldn’t our views matter more than unrelated parties?
“We are not encouraging people to smoke. We just want the right to serve all customers,” Ho said.
Last month, Deputy Health Minister Dr Lee Boon Chye said smoking in all restaurants, coffee shops and hawker centres nationwide will be banned starting next year, even in open-air eateries.
Apart from the existing smokefree zones in public places and gov- ernment buildings, the new ruling will encompass all restaurants and eateries, including open-air hawker centres and street stalls.
Presma president Ayoob Khan Muhamad Yakub said the ban was not properly thought out.
“If a customer asks for a place to smoke and I tell them it’s ten feet away from our shops, isn’t that dis-
criminating?” he said.
Primas president T. Muthusamy claimed many smokers are saying they will eat and smoke at home instead of going to restaurants if smoking is banned at the eateries.
“Has the government considered this no-smoking impact on our eateries?” he added.
Muthusamy said smoking is
already banned in all public places and air-conditioned restaurants.
“Malaysia is so hot. Many eateries have air-conditioners. So why not be fair to smokers and let them smoke in open-air eateries?” he added.
Ho urged the ministry to talk with the restaurant owners to seek a fair solution.