SIGNBOARDS have been placed in the Seberang Prai Municipal Council’s (MPSP) 66 food complexes to remind customers not to smoke.
Its president Datuk Rozali Mohamud said the signboards were placed in prominent locations within the premises.
“The no smoking ban came into effect on Jan 1 and since receiving the signboards, we are putting them up at all premises belonging to the council.
“We have also directed privately owned food outlets to put up such signboards in their premises,” he told reporters after putting up signboards at the hawkers complex of the Kota Permai public market in Bukit Mertajam on Saturday morning.
Rozali added that if premises owners fail to put up the signboards, they can be fined RM3,000.
“The public should not be angry with premises owners if they are asked to stop smoking as the owners are only following the law.”
He said if customers wanted to smoke, they must be at least 3m away from the place where food is served.
“Smoking has been banned in places such as entertainment centres, hospitals and clinics, lifts, public toilets, air-conditioned restaurants, public transports, airports, government buildings, higher learning institutes, supermarkets, petrol stations, stadium and others.
“We can fine the smokers if they are caught smoking at the above mentioned places. We are now streamlining the enforcement in food outlets now,” he said.
Regulation 11 of the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations 2004 is to protect non-smokers exposed to the dangers of cigarette smoke.
The public can report anyone found smoking in food outlets by calling a health ministry officer at their hotline at 010-8608949 or their office (03-88924530).
Callers should provide the outlet’s name, a photo of the smoker committing the act, time and date, and also whether the premises has a No Smoking signboard.
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