Restaurant owners support the move, asking for firm guidelines
PETALING JAYA: With less than five days to go before the ban on displaying tobacco products on retail shelves, restaurants and retail outlets across Klang Valley are racing to comply with the new ruling.
A check at some restaurants found that they had covered their tobacco displays with shutters. Some opted for dark glass tints, while others installed stainless steel covers.
A Chinese restaurant operator, who wished to be known only as Chan, said he preferred steel shutters over tinted glass due to feng shui concerns.
“I was advised that because the tobacco boxes face the cashier machine, the cover should not be dark as it is considered bad luck for finances,” he said.
Some eateries, however, are still preparing to install covers.
Parameswaran Chandra, a cashier at a banana leaf rice restaurant here, said his employer was awaiting shutters from an overseas seller.
He said the item is scheduled to arrive before the Oct 1 deadline.
Another restaurant operator in Subang Jaya, Habib Mohamed, stated that he has ceased selling tobacco products.
“The margins are low and sales weren’t good anyway. I might as well stop selling products that will kill my customers,” he said.
Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners’ Association president Datuk Jawahar Ali Taib Khan said members had been informed of the regulation and were making the necessary adjustments.
“Some smaller operators may face challenges in terms of space and storage, but overall, members are aware that enforcement begins Oct 1, and are preparing accordingly,” he said.
Jawahar said the association, which represents about 3,500 restaurant operators, supports the government’s efforts to reduce smoking rates and protect public health.
“At the same time, we hope the authorities can provide clear guidelines and some flexibility in the initial period to help small and medium businesses adapt without facing heavy penalties right away.
“Education and awareness are equally important so that both operators and customers understand the purpose behind the ruling,” he said.
He added that banning tobacco and vape sales in restaurants would be more effective than allowing them to be kept in closed cabinets.
“Hopefully, the government will conduct frequent inspections to prevent the sale of illegal cigarettes as well,” he said.
Petaling Jaya Coffeeshop Association president Keu Kok Meng said most of his members were on schedule as the shutters were supplied by tobacco companies themselves.
“The only challenge is that there is no fixed size for the covers. Some members also say they don’t like black tints because they are not pleasant-looking.
“So some of them used beige instead. These are minor problems. Otherwise, we are on track.”
Keu expressed concern that the display ban could hurt cigarette sales.
More than 51,000 shops nationwide will be affected by the ban under the Control of Public Health (Control of Sale) Regulations 2024.
