JOHOR BARU: The Johor state government will adhere to regulations and guidelines set forth by the Malaysian National Security Council, on designated smoking areas.
State Health and Environment Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said while its priority was the public's health, there were no current plans to provide designated smoking areas outside dining premises.
He said while space constraints were not a major concern in the state, they were open to any suggestion for the betterment of the people.
In Johor, all eateries adhere to the implemented Control of Tobacco Products (Amendment) Regulations 2018, which was enforced on Jan 1 2019.
Under the regulation, smoking is banned in any premises whether inside or outside a building, where food is prepared, served or sold and any area within a radius of three metres from any table or chair which is placed for the purpose of preparing, serving or selling food.
Smoking in hospitals, government offices and air-conditioned establishments are totally banned.
Ling said the state government was open to any beneficial regulations that would further safeguard public health and prioritised the well-being of Johoreans.
"However, it will not be done by sidelining or marginalising smokers.
"We will take into consideration their plight, and listen to everyone's views and opinions too," he said, when contacted today.
"Designated smoking areas might serve as a practical measure to mitigate the harmful impacts of second-hand smoke, but we must take into consideration numerous factors before implementing anything," he added.
Meanwhile, 78-year-old Chandran Moorthy, who has been smoking since he was 17, said that over the years, several regulations were implemented for the benefits of non-smokers.
"I think it's one prerogative to smoke or not, but it would be better if smokers' opinions are taken into consideration before laws are enforced.
"I am healthy, and now that I am retired after years of working, I would like to enjoy my cigarettes, especially after a meal, in a nice air-conditioned environment while I sip my coffee, but I can't do that now in peace," he said.
Even at home, he has to smoke outside the house, as his wife, children and their grandchildren would complain about the smell and smoke.
"I have several more years to live, and I would like to do it in peace while enjoying my routine, even though some claim it's a bad habit," he said, adding that smoking gave him pleasure, although it is an expensive addiction.
For Maisara Hassan, 46, she had switched from cigarettes to e-cigarettes, as it was more convenient and smelled less.
She believes building designated smoking areas, such as boxed-up cabins known as "Smoking Cabin SG" in Singapore, was not conducive in the country.
"We can't even maintain other public infrastructures, namely public facilities and amenities like parking meters, traffic lights, lifts and others… so I am sure these designated smoking areas will also fail miserably and become an eye-sore.
"In the past, we had crimes, including sexual crimes against minors, when they were dragged into utility companies' substations… if the designated smoking areas are closed, I am confident it would contribute to a surge of sexual crimes," she said.
She added if the government decided on its implementation, it should be open-air, and brightly lit and installed with an emergency button.
Kelvin Ng, 26, a smoker who had quit the habit after his wife nagged him constantly, said it was tough being a smoker.
"Despite the high cost which is revenue in form of taxes to the government, smokers are always marginalised.
"We are forced to smoke in allies, under the rain or the blazing sun," he said.