KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry has welcomed the move by Housing and Local Government Ministry to set up special smoking zones within commercial areas and food courts.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the special smoking areas, however, should comply with the regulation of being 10 feet (three metres) from the eateries.
"We have no problem at all (for the setting up of special smoking areas) since we could not provide such facilities to smokers.
"(But) It must comply with the three-metre regulation," he told reporters after attending the Blood Donation Drive by Srikandi Tun Fatimah STJ'73 at Surau Al-Ikhlasiah Keramat Jaya here today.
Dr Dzulkefly was commenting on calls by certain quarters for the government to review the idea as it defeats the government's intent to reduce smoking.
Yesterday, Malaysian Public Health Medicine Specialist Association president Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar called on the government to review its proposal to set up special smoking zones in public places at a cost of RM1 million.
The move, he said, was not in line with Malaysia’s goal to be a smoke-free nation by 2045.
He had also described such move unnecessary as smokers were restricted from lighting up at only 23 gazetted areas, such as eateries, air-conditioned shops, hospitals, and government premises.
Dr Zainal said the allocation to set up special smoking areas should instead be used for smokers’ rehabilitation programmes or treatment for diseases caused by smoking.
Dr Dzulkefly said the ministry had never treated smokers as enemies.
“There are people who still want to smoke and we just want them to observe the regulations.”
On Jan 7, Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said local authorities could apply to the ministry for an allocation to set up of special smoking areas in public places.
Zuraida said RM1 million had been allocated for the purpose and all 155 local authorities across the country could build designated smoking areas within commercial areas and food courts under their jurisdiction.
She said the move was to satisfy the smokers and show that the government was concerned about their plight.
As for owners of food premises who want to set up smoking areas at their own expenses, Zuraida said they needed to obtain permission from the local authorities.
The ban on smoking was first enforced on Jan 1, 2019, at all closed restaurants, air-conditioned restaurants and open stalls.
Smokers, however, were still allowed to smoke at a distance of three metres from the restaurant.
Beginning Jan 1 this year, a full ban on smoking was implemented at eateries with a maximum compound of up to RM350.