KUALA LUMPUR – The Health Ministry has issued up to RM4.97 million in fines against smokers who lit up in restaurants and to errant restaurant owners, from January 1 to September 30.
In a written reply to a question by Dr Lee Boon Chye (Gopeng-Pakatan Harapan), the ministry said after checks conducted at 285,485 premises, some 20,972 compounds were issued.
The breakdown for offences found under the Tobacco Control Regulation (PPKHT) Regulations 2004 (amended) 2018 is as follow:
16,900 compounds issued for smoking in a prohibited place
2,062 compounds issued for failure to put a no-smoking sign (premises owners)
651 compounds issued to the premises owners for failing to ensure no smoking in the restaurants
1,359 compounds issued to underage smokers
The ministry said enforcement activities were stopped when the movement control order (MCO) came into force on March 18.
However, from June 1 to September 30, the Health Ministry had begun enforcing the smoking ban after the MCO period ended.
The ministry’s enforcement teams visited 171,430 premises, issuing a total of 13,994 compounds amounting to RM3.33 million. – The Vibes, November 13, 2020
