Yea or nay to smoking rooms?

> Health Ministry to discuss matter with eateries before making decision

GOPENG: The Health Ministry will hold talks with operators of food premises soon before making any decision on the proposed provision of special smoking rooms following a ban on smoking at eateries from Jan 1.

Its deputy minister, Dr Lee Boon Chye, however, said the ministry did not encourage the allocation of special smoking spaces because priority should be given to the health of the people, especially in public places.

“We will hold discussions with operators (of food premises) so that they understand the ministry’s intention to maintain health.

“We need to give importance to the rights of non-smokers so they are free from cigarette smoke because we all know smoking is harmful,” he said after officiating at the Perdana Dengue Prevention gotongroyong at Padang Medan Pengkalan Mutiara.

There was a proposal from several food operators who want to provide special smoking areas to cater to such customers without bothering non-smokers.

The ministry had earlier issued a directive to ban smoking at all restaurants, food outlets, and hawker stalls, including taking action against smokers and eatery owners who disobey.

On the food poisoning cases believed to have been caused by laksa bought from an eatery in Kedah, Lee said the analysis of food samples will be known by tomorrow.

He said if the laksa is the cause of the poisoning, action will be taken against the stall owner. – Bernama