Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad has urged the public to respect smoke-free dining areas, particularly for children, pregnant women, and the elderly.
Smokers should only light up three metres away from the last table in restaurants.
The minister’s reminder comes after Shah Alam police arrested a male smoker who had lashed out at a pregnant woman and her husband after they reprimanded him for smoking in a restaurant.
Dzulkefly said the three-metre rule under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) remains in force, and smokers’ rights are not infringed as long as they do not smoke in prohibited areas.
“(The incident in Shah Alam) is a clear offence under Section 16(2) of Act 852, which replaced the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations under the Food Act 281,” he said in a posting on X.
Dzulkefly said that the health ministry remained committed to enforcing the smoking ban, having issued over 100,000 summonses nationwide to those who flout the rule.
However, he said enforcement officers were unable to monitor every eatery at all times.
“Owners and staff of the premises must warn customers who smoke in prohibited areas, while local authorities and the community must help ensure compliance,” he added.
Dzulkefly also encouraged the public to continue reporting violations through the #JomLapor campaign, via WhatsApp at 010-860 8949, or by calling the health ministry hotline at 03-8892 4530.
