BATU Uban assemblyman A.Kumaresan on January 15 stressed the importance of creating public awareness on the effect of smoking.
He said the public, especially non-smokers, would have to bear the inconvenience if smoking is allowed in restaurants, coffee shops and eateries.
“However, now that the regulation of no smoking has been gazetted as from the beginning of this year, we hope all those affected outlets will abide with the law alongside with their customers,” Kumaresan told reporters at Pelita Nasi Kandar outlet in Sungai Dua.
Joining him were state Health Department health officer Justen Wong Han Wei and other staff members.
Commenting that awareness of non smoking in eateries is still lacking, Kumaresan said the enforcement group would be visiting more eateries in Sungai Dua to distribute non-smoking flyers.
“Apart from Pelita Nasi Kandar, we also plan to go to other nasi kandar shops like Subaidah, Astaka Sungai Nipah and others,” he said, adding that coffee shops are also in the list.
When asked to comment on the feedback from smokers of allocating a specific place for them, he said the concern department is still working on this alternative.
“We still have to wait for an approval from Parliament,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, Wong said for last year, the state Health Department (North East District) has issued some 310 summonses for smoking offences.
Story by Danny Ooi
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud