PUTRAJAYA: After a long fight, laundromats, a popular spot for mothers and children, will finally be included in Malaysia's non-smoking zones.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad announced that laundromats and workplace buildings, including both government and private premises, will be added to the list of non-smoking areas.
The ban will take effect on Jan 1, following the enforcement of the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024, which began on Oct 1.
"I am truly grateful that laundromats, a public space frequented by people, especially mothers and wives who bring their children, have been designated as non-smoking areas.
"Starting from Jan 1, laundromats, as well as government and private workplace buildings, will be enforced as non-smoking zones," he told reporters after a media briefing on the Act's enforcement.
Since his first appointment as health minister in 2018, Dr Dzulkefly has been actively campaigning to include laundromats in the non-smoking list.
The Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 outlines 28 areas designated as non-smoking zones.
Here are the areas where enforcement will begin immediately: entertainment centres or theatres, except casinos; hospital or clinic areas; lifts or public toilets; eateries; air-conditioned shops; public transport station buildings; airport areas, except for designated or approved smoking rooms; and government premises, including the Parliament building.
Other areas include any space used for gatherings, whether in public places or inside buildings, except residential or private buildings; educational institutions or higher education institutions; childcare centres; public service counters; shopping complexes; petrol stations; stadium buildings, fitness centres, or gyms; sports complexes; public buildings or places used for religious purposes; libraries; Internet cafés; and national service training areas.
Rest and relaxation (R&R) service areas, except for open public parking spaces; public parks, except for open public parking spaces; observation towers, camping sites, canopy walkways, and within five metres of the entrance or exit of canopy walkways in national or state parks; inside school buses; and inside public vehicles are also included in the list.
Only laundromats and workplace buildings will have enforcement starting on Jan 1.
Since Oct 1, the Health Ministry has issued three fines to individuals caught smoking in prohibited areas.