KUALA LUMPUR: More Malaysians are calling for stricter enforcement of the smoking ban at eateries after a couple confronting a smoker escalated into a brawl.
The viral incident reignited public frustration over poor compliance with the smoking ban at eateries introduced in 2019.
Facebook users said enforcement had become lax and smokers were taking advantage it.
Facebook user Pearl Wang said: “More smokers are ignoring the rule that smoking is forbidden at restaurants and eateries despite the ‘no smoking’ signs on display.
“We are at risk of being verbally abused or physically harmed if we approach the smoker to request that he stop smoking.
“The restaurant owner and the staff don’t dare to take action for the same reason. This is due to a lack of strict enforcement.”
User Danny Leong said weak monitoring forced people to confront smokers who light up at restricted areas, sometimes at the cost of their safety.
“The Health Ministry’s reliance on signage as a primary control measure, coupled with insufficient enforcement, has led to widespread disregard for smoking restrictions and associated penalties.”
Other users recalled that smokers were more compliant when the rule was first introduced.
User Lee S said: “When the rule was first introduced in 2018/2019, eateries would be fined RM500. At the time, you really could see no one smoking in restaurants. Now, it seems nobody cares about the rule.”
User Muhammad Yusran Suharman said enforcement patrols were more frequent in the few years after the rule was introduced, which kept smokers in check.
“Now, people notice enforcement rounds are not as frequent. Smokers begin to be more daring due to the lack of enforcers.”
User Kien Tan suggested more active patrolling.
“Policemen and security guards should make frequent patrols to all eateries and tell the public to abide by the law.”
A Facebook post on the matter has drawn more than 100 responses at press time, reflecting growing dissatisfaction with enforcement of the smoking ban at eateries.
People called on the Health Ministry to revive strict monitoring to ensure the safety and comfort of diners.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
