MP among 8 issued compound after smoking ban takes effect in Parliament

KUALA LUMPUR: An MP was among eight people who received a compound notice for smoking in the Parliament building, says the Health Ministry.

The fine was given out to the offenders after the Ministry sent out enforcers to check on smoking hot spots in Parliament on Monday (Oct 15)  after the smoking ban took effect in Parliament.

Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the Ministry had deployed more than 20 enforcers to monitor the building for smokers and would continue to do so to ensure that Parliament kept to its commitment of becoming a smoke-free zone. 

"The enforcers have closed down the smoking areas in Parliament normally used by smokers. 

"It was done immediately, and I've seen the sour faces of smokers who had to look for other smoking places," Dr Dzulkefly told reporters at the Parliament lobby on Tuesday (Oct 16).

The Health Ministry's tobacco control unit chief Dr Ariana Hasan, however, declined to reveal the identity of the MP.