PETALING JAYA, 24 April 2009: The list of non-smoking zones will be expanded from the current 20 areas to protect the public from the hazard of cigarette smoke, Health Minister Datuk Seri Low Tiong Lai said.
He said more public places and workplaces would be designated as non-smoking zones soon.
“Anyone caught smoking in these zones can be fined up to RM5,000. If convicted in court, the offender can be fined up to RM10,000 or jail up to two years,” he told reporters after launching the KDU College no smoking awareness campaign here, today.
Liow said 4,329 smokers were fined with a total value of RM919,535 last year for disregarding the non-smoking zones.
He said about 85% of them had paid their compounds and court action would be taken against the defaulters.
Liow also said that by early June, enforcement officers would take action against producers, importers, distributors and traders of cigarettes which did not carry pictorial health warning in packs or packages. — Bernama
konghu says
Sure, it it gratifying to know that more non-smoking zones are in the making. There should be more on educating the public of second-hand smoke which is more harmful. Can the Health Minister published the list on the zones concerned?