KUCHING: A total of 259 smokers including 44 foreigners in Sarawak have been fined for lighting up following the nationwide smoking ban enforced since Jan 1.
Sarawak Health Director Dr Chin Zhin Hing said his enforcement personnel conducted checks on 9,082 premises throughout the state in the past two weeks.
“We also issued 62 notices under Regulation (12) (1) (a) for not displaying no-smoking signs at the premises and seven notices under Regulation (12) (1) (b) for providing amenities that enable smoking.
"Besides that, five notices were given to underage smokers, three (notices) for smoking in an education institution premises and one for lighting up in a hospital or clinic compound,” he said in a statement, here.
“Overall, we have issued 347 notices for various smoking offences, with compounds amounting to RM83,750,” he added.
Although there was a slight decrease of individuals smoking in eateries, the department would continue its operation and urged the public to adhere to the smoking ban.