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PRIMAS Committee Members, Messrs. K. Shaker and P. Previn Kumar attended to a discussion session regarding complaints about the smoking ban in restaurants organised by the Ministry of Health (MOH) in Putrajaya. During the discussion, PRIMAS was thanked for their participation despite the last-minute invitation by MOH, and highlighted that PRIMAS’s participation is very much appreciated as other NGOs had not turn out and PRIMAS would be highlighted to the MOH’s top Officials.

The Disease Control Division, MOH conducted this discussion session related to Complaints on the Ban on Smoking in Eating Places and According to Regulation 11 of the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations 2004, violators who are found guilty to face the fines, both for the customers and restaurant owners.

PRIMAS highlighted on the dilemma faced by the restaurant owners on the Smoking Ban and do have placed the signed notice in the restaurants.

But then, the customers do smoke during their dinning and upon requested by the staff to stop, customers get offended and make a big fuss out of it and this causes losing customers. .
PRIMAS requested the followings from MOH to be considered: -

1) The fines (saman) to be imposed on the customers, upon found smoking in eatery places,
2) The fines should not be imposed to the restaurant owners as it is not their fault.
3) An awareness banner on Smoking Ban to be prepared by MOH (with MOH logo) to be placed in the restaurants.