Ensure no-smoking ban enforced
KUALA LUMPUR: It is a frustrating fact, smokers in the country have almost unfettered freedom in subjecting others to the detrimental effects of their nasty habit.
We see it in restaurants – smokers sit wherever they like and blow cigarette smoke wherever they please – never mind that there are young children, babies or pregnant women sitting nearby. Fathers smoke at the table without a thought about the harmful effects on his children’s health, or that it sends them a message that smoking is alright.
We see people smoking very near the entrance or exit of public places like shopping malls, subjecting every passer-by to the carcinogenic clouds of smoke. Smokers could have walked farther away before lighting up, but there is little consideration as to whether they would cause unnecessary difficulties to innocent passers-by with poor respiratory health or lung issues.
Smokers in the country have so much leeway that they smoke at bus stops, public parks, at school grounds and even in office buildings without fear of repercussions or concern for others.
This writer often finds herself tempted to flick away the cigarettes in such situations, but such confrontations would most likely end badly. So, she is resigned to moving to a farther table – if one is available - or simply put up with the uncomfortable situation.
Second-hand smoke exposure is deadly. It has been proven to cause heart disease, cancer and other diseases. Just 30 minutes of exposure to tobacco smoke changes the way in which blood flows and clots, thus increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Sadly, the reality in Malaysia is that non-smokers are regularly subjected to cigarette smoke when dining out in restaurants, eateries and roadside stalls.
In fact, smoking at such public places has become almost like a national culture. This is despite the protests of non-smokers who are simply asking for the basic human right to breathe clean air.
Smokers often give an arrogant response to such requests: if nonsmokers don’t like smoke-filled environments, why don’t they eat elsewhere?
The thing is, non-smokers do not have much of a choice. Most city folks can only afford to eat at roadside stalls or eateries, where a meal costs less than RM10. Restaurants that have a separate non-smoking section tend to cost more and not everyone can afford the extra expense. It is unfair to ask that people pay more for a smoke-free indoor environment, which is their basic right under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
It is true that not all smokers are callous or show blatant disregard no-smoking warnings in gazetted areas. Sadly, that is not the case for the majority of smokers in Malaysia. For the latter, the main concern is their ‘rights’ as a smoker.
Some even have the audacity to question why the fuss on cigarette smoke when there are other sources of air pollution such as vehicle emissions.
It is an endless, tiresome debate as smokers will always try to find a justification for their addiction. The government’s decision to ban smoking in all eateries starting Jan 2019 is therefore much welcomed.
This is a move that will bring relief to many and it is a positive step towards creating a healthier environment.
According to the Deputy Health Minister Dr Lee Boon Chye, the current ban only applied to air-conditioned restaurants, government buildings, public parks, elevators and public transportation.
There are 23 areas gazetted as non-smoking areas in Malaysia under Regulation 11 of the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations 2004. Sub-regulation 22 of the same regulation also prohibits smoking at any smoke free zones gazetted by the Ministry of Health under the Smoking-Free City programme.
“The Health Ministry can take strict action (on the public and food premises) under the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations 2004 and the Food Act 1983 (Act 324) should there be violations in the no-smoking zones,” Dr Lee was quoted as saying.
Among the reasons why this decision by the government is so important is its huge impact on public health.
Dr Lee said that the move was to ensure that Malaysians are protected from illnesses and diseases stemming from exposure to cigarette smoke.
Statistics have shown that 35 percent of deaths in public hospitals are due to diseases related to the cigarette smoke exposure. These include lung infections, cancer and heart diseases, said Public Safety and Health Consultant Mohd Sofian Osman was quoted as saying in a news report.
Cigarettes contain over 7,000 chemicals, including carcinogens, acetic acid, ammonia, arsenic, lead and nicotine. Cigarette smoke is not only detrimental to the smoker but anyone else exposed to it as well.
Some of its most harmful effects is on the foetus, causing pregnant mothers to miscarry, give birth prematurely or deliver babies with birth defects.
Older children who are exposed to cigarette smoke tend to get ear infections while adults face an increased risk of developing cancer.
Perhaps the most important question following the ban is whether it would be fully enforced. We have seen how Malaysians boldly smoke in no-smoking areas without fear of repercussions, due to the lax enforcement.
There is a need for greater monitoring and enforcement, perhaps by the creation of an app that allows the public to report those who breach the ban.
The increase in the retail price of cigarettes, to be implemented by the end of October under the Sales and Services Tax (SST), would perhaps also reduce the number of smokers or the quantity of cigarettes smoked. The increase covers all cigarette brands.
For now, we can only wait and see. We also need to be more proactive in assisting enforcement officers to ensure that the no-smoking ban is fully adhered to. – Bernama