Don’t turn a blind eye to smoking

REFERENCE is made to the article, “CAP: Ban alone not enough – enforcement also needed” (The Star, Dec 17).

Yes, enforcement is the key issue, especially in Malaysia. We have rules and laws, but the problem is enforcement. Some enforcement officers tend to look the other way for reasons which we can easily imagine.

Well, the smoking ban at all eateries is coming into effect soon. This is a very good move. Already, some quarters are making some noise, expressing their anxiety and at the same time asserting that smokers have rights, too.

Yes, it’s true. Everyone has rights, but the rights have to be expressed at the right time, in the right situation, and at the right place. Smokers are reminded that non-smokers, women and children have rights as well, and that smoking is “personal” and not “public”.

In light of the present situation where the government, specifically the Health Ministry, is doing the right thing – finally after a very long time – it should be welcomed and encouraged, and enforced for the well-being of the majority of customers at eateries who do not smoke.

But in all fairness to smokers, I think a “smoking area” should be designated as well unless a particular eatery is totally a non-smoking outlet, such as an air-conditioned establishment.

Even in airports, this “arrangement” is practised – but I’m not sure about Malaysian airports. Even the presence of a “No Smoking” sign doesn’t deter smokers from smoking in restaurants, and the management doesn’t do anything about it. I have personally observed this. But I strongly believe (and advocate) that in food courts, smoking must be totally prohibited.

I am of the opinion that if smokers are caught smoking in a particular eatery, the owner/management must be hauled up as well. The same with shopkeepers/owners of restaurants who sell cigarettes to minors and/or schoolboys. Yes, there is a sign in the outlets that prohibits youth under 18 from purchasing cigarettes, but it remains just a sign on the wall! If there is no “supply”, there may be no “demand”. The corrective measure to curb this activity is enforcement.

I also think the Health Ministry and representatives of various relevant associations should negotiate on this matter and come to an amicable solution. Perhaps, the smokers are looking for some empathy from the ministry officials and government. Once the ruling comes into effect, it must be strictly enforced and all officers responsible to see the ruling is enforced shouldn’t look the other way. Enforcement must also be done by the management of the eateries.

Any form of change is not easy and it is usually not openly or immediately embraced or welcomed, but it would soon fall into place and become part of the system, and eventually everyone involved will accept it. Initial resistance will fizzle out once rules are strictly enforced. And in due time, everyone, including the smokers themselves, will accept the ruling.

Initial resistance (to the ban) will fizzle out once rules are strictly enforced.

C T ZEN Alor Setar, Kedah