KOTA KINABALU: Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) will look into establishing designated smoking zones in the state capital soon, Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Arifin Asgali said today.
He confirmed that the issue has been discussed at the recent state cabinet meeting.
"We will seek the state Health and People's Wellbeing Ministry's advice as to the extent needed to provide special smoking areas.
"As we all know, there are still many smokers. Hence, there's a need to provide designated space," he told reporters at the DBKK Ibadah Qurban ceremony here, today.
Present were mayor Datuk Nordin Siman, state Youth and Sports Minister Phoong Jin Zhe, and Kota Kinabalu member of parliament Chan Foong Hin.
Using Singapore as an example, Arifin said the country was strict on its cleanliness law and has provided designated smoking zones, located about 300 metres away from each other.
He also welcomed suggestion on placing a 'No Smoking' sticker on restaurant tables for better visibility.
"This is a good suggestion to put sticker on all tables. DBKK will look into it and will ask cooperation from restaurant operators," he said.
The state government has recently extended the grace period for a state-wide smoking ban at all eateries to Dec 31.
State Health and People's Wellbeing Minister Datuk Frankie Poon had recently said the state cabinet agreed on July 24 to continue educating smokers on the upcoming ban.
The awareness campaign on the smoking ban in Sabah began on Feb 1 this year. The state government had planned to start penalising those who smoke in prohibited areas six months after the date.
Meanwhile, on Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Christina Liew's work visit to Singapore, Nordin said DBKK would study the recommendations by the country's local authority on its Airbnb by-laws.
"The (Sabah) delegates have received a briefing from Singaporean officials yesterday...I haven't seen the recommendations but if good, we will accept and study them." he said.
DBKK representatives had also joined the working trip to Singapore led by Liew.