KUCHING: The smoking ban policy is applicable to the state only if the state adopts the new policy by the federal government.
This was said by Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian when speaking to reporters Saturday on whether the state will implement the smoking ban at all eateries in the state starting January 1, next year.
He said the state has its own Local Government Ordinance to be adhered to by the people in the state.
“The smoking ban is a new policy introduced by the federal government but it must be adopted by the state government before the state implements it.
“It is part of our own autonomy,” he stressed.
Sim said smoking is bad for health but those coffee shops where the smoking ban will take place are under the jurisdiction of the Local Government ministry.
“Therefore, the smoking ban will be introduced in the state only if we want to adopt the smoking ban policy,” he told.
