All rest and recreation (R&R) stops along highways in Malaysia are to be designated as “no-smoking” zones by the end of this year, with the coverage expanding to a radius of 3m around the areas of the facility.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said it would mean that all the eateries and toilets at R&Rs would be smoke-free.
He added that the ministry had set a target to reduce the number of smokers in the country by 16% as the Global Adult Tobacco Survey 2011 showed that 23.1% or 4.7 million Malaysians were smokers.
Vowing to expand “no-smoking” zones in the country, Dr Subramaniam said discussions were held with relevant agencies and everyone had agreed to gazetting R&Rs as “no-smoking” zones.
Dr Subramaniam said that Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) would also gazette its sheltered walkways spanning 23km in the city centre as smoke-free zones.
“The authorities will also be stepping up enforcement and monitoring these areas to deter people from smoking.
“I know that enforcement will be a challenge as it covers a large area but it will be done.
“It is only through strict enforcement that we can drive our message across,” he mentioned, adding that offenders could be fined between RM250 and RM500.
The minister warned that those who failed to pay their fines could be brought to court and fined a maximum of RM10,000 or face up to two years in prison if found guilty.
[Source]
