GEORGE TOWN: The revelry of New Year celebration for 16 men was cut short when they were fined for lighting up cigarettes at eateries.
State Health director Dr Asmayani Khalib said they were fined RM250 each on the spot during inspections at 236 premises state-wide until 1pm today.
“The men admitted that they have forgotten about the new ruling against smoking at public places,” she said today.
The department’s officers also carried awareness campaign at the eatery outlets during the inspections and premise owners were advised to display the ‘No Smoking’ sign at all times.
Meanwhile in JOHOR, five people, including two tourists from Egypt and Singapore, were issued summons notices on the first day of the smoking ban at eateries.
In an operation conducted by the Johor state Health Department, the Egyptian, smoking at a restaurant in Dataran Larkin, was caught off guard when approached by two environmental health officers.
The 25-year-old tourist, who had been travelling in the country for almost three weeks, claimed that he did not know about the smoking ban, despite the many ‘No Smoking’ signs at the restaurant.
The Johor chief health and environmental officer Kayrul Hidayah Mansor said the operations involved 150 department personnel and began at 8am today until midnight.
“Although the tourist was disappointed with the summons notice, he accepted it after our officers explained to him about the new ruling.
“We will collect all the data from today’s (Wednesday) operation and come up with an official report by tomorrow morning at the latest,” she said.
The no-smoking ban comes to force effective today following the announcement made by the Health Ministry last year.
With the full enforcement in place, those found smoking in prohibited areas, including all eateries, would be charged a compound of RM250.
Those who commit the offence for the first time can have their compounds reduced to RM150 if the payment was made at any district health office within one month from the compound date.
The ruling comes under Regulation 11 (1) (d) of the Tobacco Control Regulation (PPKHT) Regulations 2004 (amended) 2018.