Views of F&B operators on smoking ban should be considered, says MATTA

By Olivia Miwil - January 4, 2019 @ 4:27pm

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah government needs to discuss with restaurant operators who could possibly be affected by the smoking ban pending the state cabinet’s decision on the implementation.

Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) president Datuk Tan Kok Liang was commenting on Sabah putting on hold the no-smoking ban at eateries from Jan 1.

“Kota Kinabalu City is the gateway for tourism in Sabah, both domestic and foreign tourists.

“Food premises need to be given a choice to implement or otherwise, based on clientele expectation and demand,” he said in a statement.

According to Health Ministry, it is illegal to smoke in all air-conditioned and open air restaurants, coffee shops, open-air hawker centres and even street stalls.

Smokers will have to be at least three metres away if they want to light up.

Premises owners can be fined up to RM3,000 or be imprisoned for up to 6 months if they fail to put up “No Smoking” signs, and they can also be fined up to RM5,000 or be imprisoned for up to one year if they don’t take steps to stop people from smoking at their premises.

“Penalising owners of premises with fines and imprisonment for tourists smoking is not the way forward.

“It may have serious repercussions as food operators may appear ‘hostile” towards tourists who choose to smoke in eateries,” he said, adding the ban was also likely to affect revenue of those eateries.

Tan, however, added the government needed to collaborate with affected food premises on providing facilities and zoning for consumers and tourists if the smoking ban was to be implemented in the state.