MPP has no plan to enforce smoke-free zones

 

KUCHING: Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) is not planning to enforce smoke-free zones at all coffee shops, public toilets and open spaces in areas under its jurisdiction at the moment.

MPP chairman Lo Khere Chiang said it was not possible for MPP to police such areas at all times due to its very small enforcement team.

“Currently, we have only seven enforcement officers looking after the whole area and therefore, we cannot enforce such a prohibition at this moment,” he said when asked if MPP would follow in the Kuching North City Commission (DBKU)’s footsteps.

Lo said instead of using the law and enforcement, he would rather remind smokers to be considerate of non-smokers by going outside the premises for a puff.

“Personally, I encourage smokers to be socially responsible and considerate when smoking at public places and to smoke outside so that their habit will not affect their neighbours.

“I believe most smokers do not smoke in front of their family members, and therefore that is the least to expect from them as well. Just be considerate to the non-smokers. Don’t just light up your cigarette among the people around you like (it’s) nobody’s business,” he said.

DBKU took the bold step to prohibit smoking at all coffee shops, public toilets and open spaces in areas under its jurisdiction effective Jan 1 this year. Kuching North Datuk Bandar Datuk Abang Abdul Wahap Abang Julai had said that the exercise would be jointly run with the Health Department to discourage people from smoking at eateries and their surroundings.

January 4, 2017, Wednesday Rintos Mail, reporters@theborneopost.com