KUCHING: Smoking ban penalties should be meted out by Ministry of Health officers, and not councillors, says the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor.
“We (the councillors) do not have the authority to impose penalties on smokers. All we can do is advise them not to smoke in eateries,” Datuk James Chan said this yesterday when asked for updates on the smoking ban.
He said the smoking ban was imposed by the ministry and enforcement would be done by health officers.
“Unless council officers are empowered with the authority only then they can enforce this, but at the moment, there is no issue.
“We have put up ‘No Smoking’ signs in the markets and eateries. I believe the ministry is also ensuring that the signs are placed in all eateries,” he said.
“Countries like China have already started doing this therefore, it is good that we are following in the same footsteps,” Chan added.
