Ban won't be effective

THE government’s move to ban smoking in all eateries has attracted strong views from all sides. No doubt the heated discussions before Jan 1 between restaurant operators and the authorities, and the fanfare organised by the Health Ministry on New Year’s Day sends the message that the government is serious about enforcing the ban.

However, the debate surrounding this ban is a bit misplaced in my view, simply for the reason that this ban is bound to fail. This is not the first time a widespread ban has been imposed on smoking in Malaysia. In fact, there are already 23 designated areas under the Control of Tobacco Products Regulation 2004 in which no one can smoke. But who remembers or, indeed, complies with the provisions of Regulation 11 (1) (h) that bans smoking in “... any area of a government premise” or “... any area of a shopping complex?” as an example?