SIBU: The Health Department carried out a two-day inspection on 148 out of 1,000 food premises since the smoking ban was in force from March 1.
Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King told reporters after distributing leaflets on the ruling at the CentralS Market here yesterday, said during the operation, the enforcement team found 50 of the premises did not put up ‘No Smoking’ signs, an offence under Rule 12 (a) of the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations 2004 (Amended 2018).
The offence provided for a fine of not exceeding RM3,000 or a jail term of not more than six months.
Tiong said each premises was issued a warning letter, which also advised them to put up the signage.
Meanwhile, a spokesman from the Health Department said during the operation from March 1, nobody was caught for smoking inside the eateries.
“This is a good sign as it shows that people are aware of the ruling,” he said.
“On our enforcement, we intend to cover all the premises by end of March and from June 1, the ruling will be fully enforced where people caught smoking will be penalised,” he said.
He said the department has 40 enforcement officers involved in the operation.
“The first three months is the educational enforcement after that we hope not to catch anybody smoking in eateries.”
