Smoking in restaurants? We’ll come for you: Khairy

KUALA LUMPUR – The smoking ban at eateries introduced during Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) time in federal power is still in force, and Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has vowed to clamp down hard on flouters.

In a tweet today, Khairy commended the policy introduced by former health minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad as a good initiative.

Setuju. Ini dasar yang bagus dari zaman @DrDzul. Semalam saya telah minta penguatkuasaan terhadap larangan merokok ini ditingkatkan lagi. Sambil memantau pematuhan SOP pandemik, boleh denda perokok yang langgar larangan tersebut. Sekali harung. https://t.co/jxYeIWbbp3

— Khairy Jamaluddin ??? (@Khairykj) October 21, 2021

He said he has ordered the ministry to increase its enforcement against those who break the law.

“While monitoring the compliance of Covid-19 standard operating procedures, (they) can issue fines to smokers who ignore the ban. Sekali harung (one shot),” he said.

Khairy was responding to a tweet from user @hafifyhafidz, who urged the Health Ministry to ensure compliance of the smoking ban at eateries.

Mohon @Khairykj sbg Menteri Kesihatan, kembali tingkatkan pematuhan larangan merokok di kedai makan. Makin ramai pulak hisap rokok dlm kedai mcm larangan dah dihapuskan.

— Hafidz DZ (@hafifyhafidz) October 21, 2021

“More people are starting to smoke in premises as though the ban has been lifted,” he said.

Dzulkefly, in response to Khairy’s remark, said: “Way to go. No smoking in dine-in areas! Strengthening a healthy Malaysia in a post-Covid-19 era!”

The issue of the smoking ban recently resurfaced after several individuals highlighted on social media the apparent increase in the number of smokers lighting up in restaurants.

Many had questioned the Health Ministry’s lax in enforcement since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic early last year.

Under Dzulkefly’s watch, the then PH administration had gazetted all eateries, including open-air establishments, as smoke-free zones beginning January 2019.

Enforcement of the ban then came into strict force in January the following year. – The Vibes, October 21, 2021