KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry is willing to listen to the views of all regarding the issue of designated smoking zones, including at eateries.
Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said this was to enable the government to come up with the best possible solution for everyone before it is brought to the cabinet.
He said the ministry was open to any proposal, as long as they were reasonable and practical.
"(The suggestion to allow certain eateries to have designated smoking areas) was just our viewpoint after hearing recommendations from 30 owners of premises and traders in Jalan Alor
"However, if it (the suggestion to have designated smoking areas) is rejected, then we will listen and look at the practicality aspect of it. What I mean is, we will not be rigid.
"I mentioned this (the proposal for designated smoking areas) in a responsible manner, conscience and aware of the fact that we will not make any U-turns (ban smoking in eateries)," he said.
Dr Dzulkefly was speaking to reporters after launching the 28th Codex Committee for Fats and Oils (CCFO) meeting.
It was reported that the ministry was considering allowing designated smoking areas near certain eateries located in "tight spaces", such as those in Jalan Alor in Bukit Bintang.
This was as it was difficult for smokers to find spots to smoke as under current laws which came into force on Jan 1, 2020, they must be at least 3m from an eatery.
Failure to adhere to the ruling would mean offenders would be fined up to RM10,000 or face a jail term of up to two years.
Detailing the reasoning for the proposal for designated smoking aras, Dr Dzulkefly said it was for enforcement of current anti-smoking laws to be better carried out.
"In Jalan Alor, for instance, I went down to the ground and saw that it was almost impossible to enforce the 3m no-smoking zone. So, we are considering designated smoking areas if they are there for a certain number of hours.
"It's not just in Jalan Alor, but wherever the situation is the same and there is difficulty in enforcing the law because of the space factor. We are willing to consider (having designated smoking areas), but with strict conditions attached," he said.
Dr Dzulkefly made the statement that the ministry was mulling designated smoking zones for eateries in tight spaces after meeting with traders and restaurant owners in Jalan Alor on Saturday.
While the idea earned mixed reactions from food outlet operators, health experts decried the ministry's U-turn, saying that it was "absurd" and would send the wrong message to the public.