Eateries in the dark over new rules on lighting up.
Eateries still confused over implementation, enforcement
PETALING JAYA: With just a fortnight to the smoking ban at all eateries nationwide, matters are still “hazy” as far as its implementation is concerned.
Beginning Jan 1, smoking in all restaurants, coffeeshops, hawker centres and open-air eateries will be banned. Many of the operators, however, appear to be unprepared, citing confusion over what signs should be displayed.
A check at several restaurants in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya showed that the proprietors had yet to display “no smoking” signs, with ashtrays still aplenty for smoking customers.
Foochow Coffeeshop Owners Association president Toon Koon Ku said as the clock kept ticking, the authorities had yet to advise operators about the signs or posters to be displayed at their eateries.
“We have asked the Health Department in the respective states about this but they have yet to revert.
“We are not even sure if there is a standard size or wordings that have to be adhered to, or if we can just get or print our own signs.
“Should this be placed on every table?” he asked The Star yesterday.
Toon said all ashtrays would be removed at the start of 2019 and coffeeshop owners and workers would have to “keep an eye on customers” to ensure that they did not smoke.
He wanted to know how the enforcement would be carried out as it was possible that some patrons may ignore their advice not to light up.
“We were also told that operators will be fined if cigarette butts are found in our shops, as it will be considered evidence that someone smoked in our outlet.
“If this is so, anyone who wants to sabotage our business can just walk past and throw a few cigarette butts into our shop,” Toon said, adding that he also heard that local councils would give a six-month grace period until June for operators and customers to adapt to the new ruling.
“I hope the Health Ministry will clarify this issue,’’ he added.
Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association (Presma) presi- dent Ayoob Khan Muhamad Yakub said its members had been told to put up “no smoking” signs in their shops.
“This is first time something like this is being enforced, and we need time to educate the public.
“On our part, we can only put up notices and ask that our customers smoke 3m away from our restaurants, as stipulated. We can’t chase them out.
“Even with ‘no smoking’ signs up, people are ignoring them. There is only so much we can do as restaurant owners,” Ayoob said, adding that he supported the smoking ban but wanted more time for smokers to adapt.
Original Penang Kayu Nasi Kandar proprietor Burhan Mohamed said the enforcement must be clari- fied as restaurant owners did not want to be slapped with summonses, especially when customers ignore their advice not to smoke.
“By all means, fine them for not following the rules but not us. We do what we can but sometimes, we cannot stop them.
“We don’t want instances where customers argue or fight with us for telling them not to smoke,” he said.
The government had, in October, announced that those caught smoking in prohibited areas would be fined up to RM10,000 or face two years’ jail while eateries found to have allowed customers to light up will be fined up to RM2,500.
Deputy Health Minister Dr Lee Boon Chye is scheduled to speak on the issue at the Dewan Negara today and later hold a press conference.