KOTA BARU: A total of 147 smokers have been fined for lighting up at restaurants and eateries in Kelantan since the nationwide smoking ban was enforced on Jan 1.
Kelantan Health director Datuk Dr Zaini Hussin said the offenders were caught smoking at prohibited areas by its enforcement officers in series of checks at 1,656 food premises in the state.
During the seven-day period, he said the department managed to collect RM34,150 fines from smokers who were found to have committed offences under the Regulation 11(1)(d) of the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations 2004 (Amendment 2018).
“Fifteen of the 147 fines were issued to underaged smokers while 18 others were found to be smoking electronic cigarettes.
"Fines were also issued against 23 outlet owners for failure to display the ‘no smoking’ sign," he said.
Zaini said some of the owners were also compounded for providing smoking facilities.
He added that the fine for smoking at an eatery is RM250 and RM50 for an underaged smoker.
He said first-time offenders can expect their fine to be reduced to RM150 should it be settled at any district health office within a month.
"No fine reduction is offered for second-time offenders; while a higher amount of RM350 will be imposed on those caught smoking at restricted areas for a third time from Jan to June," he said, adding that from July onwards, legal action will be taken against offenders.