Malaysia To Ban Smoking At Public Eateries From 2020, Violators May Face Up To S$3,000 Fine

Malaysia To Ban Smoking In Public Eateries From Jan 2020

Starting Jan 2020, you won’t be allowed to smoke in Malaysian public eateries anymore.

This is because the health ministry will be enforcing a smoking ban at all public eateries.

The ban comes after a recent High Court ruling that it does not “breach people’s right to liberty and equality”, according to The Star.

Malaysia smoking ban entails maximum $3,000 fine

First-time offenders will face a RM250 (S$80) fine, or a discounted RM150 (S$50) if they pay on time, according to an article by Berita Harian.

But those who continuously violate the ban may face the maximum fine of RM10,000 (S$3,000), so you best suppress your desires lest you end up spending way more on your budget Malaysian trip.

On the other hand, eateries that allow customers to smoke may face a fine of up to RM2,500 (S$700). They also have to put up 40cmx50cm signs saying “no smoking”.

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This move, Malaysia’s Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad says, is to protect the public’s health and “create a healthy environment for all.”

Education period started Jan 2019

The ban isn’t new, as authorities had initially implemented it at the start of 2019.

But one month in, party members from Pertahankan Hak Peroko (PHP) filed a judicial review, claiming that the ban breaches the people’s right and equality before the law.

They argued that smoking does not constitute a criminal activity.

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However, the High Court dimissed their motion on 29 Oct, allowing the ban to continue.

Now that the education or trial period is about to end, violators will not be able to escape the fine.

Officers to patrol eateries

Just like the parking wardens here in Singapore, the eateries in Malaysia will be patrolled by officers — about 5,000 of them.

So the next time you think about lighting up in an eatery (because lighting up after meals seems to be a common habit), maybe think twice. Imagine paying cheap for your meal, only to pay a whole month’s worth of salary for ‘dessert’.

Featured image adapted from Malay Mail.