GEORGE TOWN: There are still smokers here allegedly unaware of the nationwide ban on smoking in eateries, the state Health Department said today.
Its director Dr Asmayani Khalib said on the first day of the smoking ban which came into force yesterday, 27 notices were issued against smokers who continued to puff away during checks in some 396 premises statewide.
She said the most number of notices issued was in the Seberang Prai Tengah (SPT) district at 12, northeast district (six), Seberang Prai Utara (SPU) (four), southwest district (three) and two at the international entry/exit points into the state.
“Besides the smokers, we also issued a notice against the owner of a premises who failed to display the no-smoking sign.
“This operation is not to punish but more about creating awareness on the dangers of smoking, as well as to encourage smokers to give up the habit.
“We understand that it is not something easy for them to do, but with determination, we can help them quit smoking,” she said when met in Komtar, here, today where she led a team to conduct checks at eateries.
Elaborating, Asmayani said such operations would be conducted frequently for the first two weeks, besides constant monitoring thereafter.
“We hope no notices will be issued today.
“Since the campaign was first mooted a year ago, we have seen positive development in efforts to ban smoking in public places (eateries).
“In fact, owners of some premises have also warned their customers against smoking.
“It is just that there are still more who are unaware,” she added.
She added that the onus to create awareness on the dangers of smoking was not only on the department but it involved the cooperation from all.
With the full enforcement now in place, those caught smoking in prohibited areas would be fined RM250.
Those who commit the offence for the first time can have their compound reduced to RM150 if they pay it at any district health office within one month of the compound date.