'Errant smokers issued 605 compounds totalling RM144,450'

By Sarah Rahim January 2, 2020 @ 6:30pm

KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry has issued 605 compounds amounting to RM144,450 since the enforcement of smoking ban in public eateries began yesterday.

Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said 34 compounds were issued to underaged smokers.

He said the ministry’s enforcement team of 2,087 officers had checked 6,119 premises according to Regulation 11 (1) (d) of the Tobacco Control Regulation (PPKHT) Regulations 2004 (amended) 2018 for non-smoking areas in eateries. Enforcement was also carried out under Regulation 12 (1) (a) and 12(1) (b) of the same Regulations, he added.

He said 103 compounds amounting to RM25,750 were issued to owners of premises.

There were no no-smoking signs in 79 of the premises and there were amenities that encouraged smoking in 24.

“Those who received notices on offences for smoking in public areas were compounded RM250.

“First offenders will receive a discounted compound of RM150 if they pay within one month at any health district offices from the date of issuance,” he added.

Dr Noor Hisham said second-time offenders would be issued a RM250 compound, and if they commited the same offence for the third time and beyond, the compound amount would be RM350.

“In summary, based on enforcement on the ground, most premises owners have given their cooperation and have carried out their duties in enforcing the ban,” he said.

Dr Noor Hisham said the number of premises found to have flouted the law had fallen from 47 per cent yesterday to 1.7 per cent today.

However, he said, the number of smokers at eateries were still high, where about 10 per cent of patrons were still caught puffing.

“The Health Ministry is seeking cooperation from all quarters to abide by the regulations to ensure better quality of health among the public,” he said.

“On the part of eatery owners, they must clearly display the no-smoking signs, and not provide ashtrays, sell shisha and other forms of activities to encourage smoking at their premises.

“To those who wish to stop smoking, they are welcome to seek help and advice at all stop-smoking facilities and mQuit, which are available at all health clinics and government hospitals nationwide, or at any private accredited facilities that offer the service.”

Dr Noor Hisham said they could also visit or register at //jomquit.moh.gov.my or call 03-88834400 for information.