KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 25 – The Ministry of Health (MOH) is considering decreasing the RM250 fine on smokers who light up in prohibited areas to RM150 if offenders make early payment.
Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said that the enforcement is more to educate the offenders rather than to punish them.
“Some 20,000 Malaysians die annually due to smoking-related illnesses such as cancer. This is why I’m taking this action.”
“…I don’t want passive smokers to suffer negative health effects,” he said, according to Bernama.
Effective January 1, 2019, a smoking ban was enforced at all restaurants and stalls nationwide regardless of whether the premises are enclosed or open by the roadside.
A RM250 compound is slapped on those who fail to comply and if they fail to pay the compound, they can be charged in court where they are liable to a maximum fine of RM10,000 or two years in jail.
The ban on smoking in public spaces was imposed on January 1, 2019, with fines of up to RM10,000 or two years’ jail on patrons, as well as a fine of not more than RM5,000 or one year’s imprisonment on owners of premises who fail to implement the rule.
The implementation and enforcement of the smoking ban have been delayed until the end of the year.
