KUALA LUMPUR: The smoking ban at all eateries, including those outdoors, will come into effect at midnight, Jan 1.
The ban is gazetted under the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations 2004, in line with Control of Tobacco Product Regulations (Amendments) 2018.
"It is aimed at protecting the public from being exposed to cigarette smoke," Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said in a statement.
With the new regulation, smoking is not permitted at all eateries, whether indoors, air-conditioned or open-air restaurants.
It was stated previously that those who wish to light up can only do so three metres or 10 feet away from any restaurants or open-air eateries.
The Health Ministry had also reminded restaurant operators to put up a no smoking sign and to not allocate any section within their premises for smokers.
"We understand the rights of smokers, so we allow them to smoke 10 feet (3 metres) from these premises," deputy Health Minister Dr Lee Boon Chye said in a press conference at the Parliament lobby on Dec 17.