There was a heated discussion online last month after a Member of Parliament suggested banning smoking at one's own HDB flat to protect people from secondhand smoke indoors.

There were also amendments passed by Parliament to the Smoking (Prohibition in Certain Places) Act.

As a result of the amendments, the National Environment Agency (NEA) officers were given more enforcement powers to enter non-smoking environments to investigate. 

Similarly, Malaysia is also taking greater action in the interest of non-smokers' health.

Smoking banned in all open-eateries in Malaysia next year

According to Sin Chew Daily, Deputy Health Minister of Malaysia Lee Boon Chye announced that smoking will be banned in all air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned restaurants, coffee shops, open hawker centres and roadside stalls from next year. 

Offenders will face a fine of RM10,000 while eateries, where smokers were caught, will be fined RM2,500.

Lee elaborated that the ban is to provide Malaysians with a healthier dining environment.

Under Malaysia’s current Tobacco Control Laws, smoking is not allowed at all government facilities and public spaces such as hospitals, schools, public transportation as well as public lifts and toilets. 

Support from local medical organisations

The move was welcomed by local medical organisations.

A statement, representing 30 medical organisations in Malaysia, was released on Oct. 11 highlighting secondhand smoke's health impact on non-smokers, especially women and children.

Some of the health risks to non-smokers include worsening asthma attacks, respiratory and ear infections.

According to the statement, secondhand smoke could also result in a greater rate of premature babies, birth defects or even sudden infant death syndrome.

Open-eateries are strategic places to implement the ban as these are common areas where families visit and involve multiple stakeholders.

As such, it demonstrates a commitment to the nation's public health as well as the World Health Orga­ni­sation’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

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Top photo by Zheng Zhangxin.

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