KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 14,872 summonses for smoking in restricted areas were issued from January to April this year, according to the Health Ministry.
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Its minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said 5,028 operations were conducted during the same period, with the value of the summonses totalling RM3.7mil.
The number of summonses issued for the first four months of the year was close to half of last year’s total, 30,648.
“Operations were conducted with enforcement agencies like the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM). Operations are planned in Kuala Lumpur, Negri Sembilan, Selangor and other states,” she said in a written Parliamentary reply to Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman (Muda-Muar) on Wednesday (May 24).
Syed Saddiq had asked the Health Minister to state the ministry’s enforcement measures to curb smoking in restaurants.
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Dr Zaliha said engagement sessions were also held with eatery operators to get their cooperation in ensuring the premises were smoke-free.
“Advocacy programmes were also carried out with groups such as the Malaysian Drug Prevention Association (Pemadam) to ensure adherence to the rule,” she said.
Malaysia enforced a no-smoking ruling at all eateries and restaurants nationwide on Jan 1, 2019.
However, smokers were permitted to light up 3m away from the establishments.
– The Star