Lee: Die-hard smokers likely to light up in toilets

PETALING JAYA: Social activist Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye is worried that die-hard smokers will light up in public toilets following the smoking ban at all eateries.

“It is common to see smokers taking a puff in the toilets in offices and in commercial and go­vernment buildings.

“Although some claim that they smoke to get rid of the odour, it should not be allowed as their smoke affects non-smokers using the toilets,” he said yesterday.

Besides eateries, he said smoking in toilets should be strictly prohibited.

“I have received numerous complaints from the public and it is happening very often now,” Lee said.

“My concern is that there could be a rise in the number of cases of smokers sneaking into the toilets for a puff.”

However, Lee acknowledged that there was a lack of manpower in enforcing a prohibition against smoking in toilets.

“Although one could alert a building security guard, he or she has no authority to issue a summons to the culprit,” he said.

He suggested that the Health Ministry empower local council officers to issue compounds or fines to errant smokers.

On the no-smoking ruling in eateries, Lee said the six-month grace period given to smokers was sufficient to educate them.

However, he also proposed that eateries be allowed to set up designated smoking areas away from non-smokers.