PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry has been urged to consider the implementation of smoking ban at workplaces and closed areas in offices, specifically the toilets.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, however, said this matter should be thoroughly discussed between the ministry and employers.
He said the actions of some smokers who smoke in the toilet could be detrimental to other people’s health.
“I myself had encountered such act in the toilet. I know some smokers want to smoke at work and they often do it in the toilet.
“So I hope employers and the ministry can discuss to provide designated smoking areas for them,” he said after flagging off My Jantungku Run 2019 runners at Kompleks Sukan Air at Precinct 16 here today.
About 2,000 participants participated in the five-kilometre run, organised by the Malaysian Occupational Safety and Health Practitioners Association (MOSHPA). Also present was MOSHPA president Datuk Dr Kanagaraja Raman.
Meanwhile, Lee also urged employers to conduct at least 10 minutes of workout programme at the office to encourage employees to achieve quality health.
He said there were approximately 40,000 new cases of heart disease in Malaysia every year, thus making it the country’s number one killer.
“We should emulate Japan where the people do light exercise before work. Health is an important asset to individuals and the country, in line with the government's efforts to drive the economy and improve productivity,” he said.
Lee said employers and workers were encouraged to take on the responsibility of maintaining heart health and practicing a healthy and cheerful lifestyle.