'Smoking ban has no correlation with tourist arrivals'

By Olivia Miwil - January 11, 2019 @ 11:18am

KOTA KINABALU: Smoking ban at eateries in Sabah would not likely affect tourist arrivals when it comes into force this Feb 1, says Sabah Tourist Association chairman Tonny Chew.

He said the three-metre rule would not have drastic effects towards tourists who smoke.

“Tourists are abiding laws in their own countries, including on smoking restrictions. It’s not going to be a problem as many of them respect local laws and customs.

“There are also other countries such as Singapore and Thailand that are banning smoking, but people still travel to those places,” he said when contacted by NSTP.

Prior to state Cabinet meeting decision on smoking ban on Wednesday, it has been reported that the reasons of deferment by state government, among others, was the concern that the ban would affect tourist arrivals.

Instead, Chew added that pricing, facilities, people and products were the significant factors on attracting visitors to Sabah.

Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) president Datuk Tan Kok Liang also shared the same sentiment, saying that smoking ban has no correlation to tourist arrivals.

He added that the enforcement of smoking ban means a cleaner environment for locals and tourists.

However, Tan said the local and other relevant authorities need to engage with food premises affected by the ban to provide zoning and facilities for determined smokers.

“Tourism involves meeting tourists’ every detailed expectation and need to ensure a memorable experience.

“Kota Kinabalu is marketed as a modern and touristic city and therefore we need to have adequate facilities so as not to ask visitors to smoke ‘under the sun’,” he added.

On Wednesday, the state government had also announced that there would be a six-month grace period to educate the public on the smoking ban.

From July 1, a fine of up to RM10,000 or maximum imprisonment of two years will be imposed.