BUTTERWORTH: Penang state government is urging more restaurant operators to stop selling cigarettes and ensure that their premises are smoke-free.
This comes after Pelita Samudra Pertama (M) Sdn Bhd (Pelita) chain of restaurants decided to stop selling cigarettes by end of the year.
State Health, Agriculture and Agro-based Industries and Rural Development Committee chairman Dr Afif Bahardin said that the state government lauded the initiative taken by the renowned nasi kandar outlet and hoped others would follow suit.
He said the restaurant and eatery operators would be rewarded by the state Health Department for their efforts in supporting the government’s initiative.
"Pelita is the first company to announce doing so and we appreciate it.
"At the same time, we hope the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry will consider to enforce the ban on the sales of cigarettes at restaurants and eateries as requested by numerous parties," he said during a walkabout at the Restoran Nasi Kandar Pelita's Taman Chai Leng branch today.
Yesterday, Pelita announced that the sales of cigarettes at all of its 30 restaurants nationwide would cease by year’s end.
The move was in support of the government’s smoking ban in eateries and restaurants which took effect on Jan 1.
To date, the Health Department has visited 1,604 premises and issued 1,278 warning notice to the restaurant owners involving the smoking ban.
Dr Afif said he appreciated that people are beginning to accept the new policy implemented earlier this month.
"This shows that they are open to the government’s numerous policies.
"With the power of social media, the smoking ban will be successfully." he added.