The Malaysian Insight

WITH less than a month to go before a smoking ban takes effect in all dining outlets nationwide, Penang restaurant owners are urging the government to reconsider what they say is “too extreme” a policy.

Foochow Coffeeshop Owners’ Association president Toon Koon Ku said the ban would lead to eatery operators losing business.

He said the government was “ignoring” other workable solutions to combat smoking. 

“We support the intention to create a healthy society and believe that instead of just saying yes or no, there is a win-win approach that can be considered to accommodate the needs of all quarters,” Too told a press conference in George Town today.

Explore ‘workable’ options

He said there were suggestions such as to have designated smoking areas within the premises, or to place signs indicating whether the outlet was smoke-free, so that the customer could decide whether or not to go in.

Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association and  Malaysian Indian Restaurant Owners Association (Primas) representatives were present at the meeting.

Seberang Prai Hawkers and Coffee Shop Owners Association secretary Lee Kok Yong said they had recently held a survey that found many in the sector were already facing challenges such as high rent and rising costs.

The ban, he said, would add to their difficulty in staying afloat –  something the government should also consider.

“I don’t smoke myself; but if smoking is banned, it is like telling us to tell our customers to go away.

“If we don’t allow smoking, don’t sell cigarettes at the coffee shop, and threatened with fines if we fail to stop customers from smoking, then business will be even tougher,” he said.

Owners, Lee said, should be allowed to put a few tables close to their shop entrances or exits, or outside their premises, for smoking customers.

“We can also do like what Japan has been doing. They have dedicated smoking areas on every street. Let us have these facilities in place first before we enforce a ban.”

‘Smokers being treated like criminals’

Federation of Sundry Goods Merchants Association of Malaysia assistant secretary-general Tan Cheng Eow also called for the government to put up designated smoking spaces.

He said the government should also respect the rights of smokers, not only non-smokers.

“Cigarettes are not illegal. The government collects taxes from cigarette sales, which makes them legal products. But now, smokers are being treated like criminals.”

Tan also said it was impractical to tell customers to go outside and move away from business premises if they wanted to smoke.

“Many business outlets in Malaysia are shop lots in rows. Say you have to walk 10ft (a metre) away from a shop to smoke; you will just find yourself smoking in another shop.”

He slammed the government for not consulting businesses before announcing the ban.

“You are not wearing our shoes. You don’t know the issues we face. You just want to make Malaysia look good with WHO (World Health Organisation).

“That is good for Malaysia but please consider small businesses like us. We supported this government, but it is not considering our livelihoods,” Tan said.

The smoking ban at all restaurants, including hawker stalls, goes into effect starting January 1.

Last month, Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the government would not compromise despite protests from food outlet operators. – December 5, 2018.