KUCHING: The Kuching South City Council (MBKS) will work closely with the Sarawak Health Department to launch a public awareness campaign on the enforcement of no-smoking zones under the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations (Act 852).
According to Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng, the initiative is crucial to ensure the public understands and complies with the law, thereby making Kuching a healthier and more liveable city.
“We will help raise awareness among the public because creating a healthy, liveable city is part of our duty too, not just the responsibility of the Health Department,” he said during a press conference on the campaign on Monday (Oct 27).
Wee said representatives from the Inspectorate and Legal Section of the State Health Department had been invited to brief MBKS on the implementation of Act 852 in Sarawak.
“We are looking for the best way to explain this matter to the public.
Therefore, we hope it will not be politicised, this is the law, and it must be respected.”
Furthermore, Wee explained that those caught smoking in designated no-smoking areas may be fined RM250, while those who refuse to pay the compound will face court action, where fines can increase up to RM5,000.
“However, there is no imprisonment under this regulation.
“The campaign’s goal is not to punish, but to educate.”
According to Wee, the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) has listed 28 locations in Sarawak as designated no-smoking areas, including several government buildings.
He reminded building and premise owners that they are responsible for displaying official no-smoking posters and signage issued by MOH.
“Building owners who fail to display proper signage can also be fined or compounded.
“Please ensure that the posters displayed are the latest official versions from the Health Ministry.”
He added that some government buildings were unaware that they, too, are required to display the signs.
“Once this report is published, I believe many agencies will realise they must comply.
“Even government-owned buildings can be compounded if they fail to put up the signs.”
Additionally, Wee said MBKS and MOH plan to conduct a series of awareness programmes at selected locations, including a symbolic launch to inform the public about the enforcement.
He called for calm and cooperation from business operators, advising officers to use discretion when dealing with outdated or incorrect signage.
“If old signs are still displayed, don’t penalise the owners right away.
“Just advise them to replace the signs with the correct version. We are working with the Health Ministry to ensure this is implemented in a friendly and acceptable manner.
“We will try to minimise such problems. The idea is to educate first, not to intimidate.”
He assured that MBKS would play its part by displaying awareness materials and helping the public understand their responsibilities.
“We will put up more awareness posters to assist, aiming to help people realise this is for the greater good for a healthier, smoke-free Kuching.”
