Plans to extend non-smoking zones
KOTA KINABALU: The Health and People's WellBeing Ministry may consider extending the nonsmoking zones in the state, to not only cover restaurants but other public places as well.
Its minister Stephen Wong revealed that his ministry was also considering to designate airconditioned restaurants as nonsmoking zones.
“We have a plan to expand the non-smoking zones (in the state). Currently, we are only doing this at restaurants…now we may extend the restriction even to the public places such as halls and other public areas.
“We will only allow the smokers to smoke in very restricted areas…according to statistics, a lot of non-smokers are also affected by second hand smoke,” Stephen said.
Stephen said the matter would be further discussed in the upcoming Parliament sitting.
“If we can do it, we will impose (the non-smoking rules) next year. We will check with the (Federal) Ministry of Health,” he asserted.
He pointed out that there are currently many fake cigarettes being sold in the market.
Since the act of smoking cigarettes is already very harmful to one's body, the sale of fake cigarettes would only make things even worse, Stephen added.
“We will work with the other departments such as the Customs and other enforcement units,” Stephen said, adding that his ministry might even set up a special enforcement task force to curb the smuggling of fake cigarettes in the state.
Stephen spoke to reporters after launching the Kota Kinabalu-level World Pharmacy Day and World No Tobacco Day Celebration at Luyang Health Clinic yesterday.
He said many of the smokers in Sabah were unaware of the various Health Ministry programmes aimed at assisting the former in letting go of their tobacco addiction.
The event had also celebrated the achievements of the participants of the Quit Smoking Programme; these former smokers have successfully completed their programme and they have all managed to quit smoking for good.
Also present in the event were Luyang assemblyman Ginger Phoong Jin Zhe and Public Healthcare Specialist cum Kota Kinabalu Health Officer Dr Julaidah Sharip.