PUTRAJAYA, Oct 4 — Laundromats and office buildings, including government and private premises, will be added to smoke-free areas effective January 1.
This follows the enforcement of the Control Of Smoking Products For Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) on October 1.
Public health deputy director-general Datuk Dr Norhayati Rusli and disease control (non-communicable diseases) deputy director Dr Noraryana Hassan were present.
On January 1, 2019, when assuming health minister post, Dr Dzulkefly said his office acknowledges the urgent need to expand the smoke-free areas gazette as public places such as laundromats and hotels are plagued by cigarette smoke.
Meanwhile, Dr Noraryana said enforcement will start next year, so owners of the premises involved have sufficient time to put up no smoking warning sign boards.
“We want to give them (laundromat owners) the opportunity to put up ‘No Smoking’ signboards,” she said.
Act 852 outlines 28 areas designated as non-smoking zones. Among other smoke-free areas previously gazetted are:
- Hospitals/Clinics
- Elevators/Public toilets
- Eateries
- Air-conditioned shops
- Public transport stations
- Airports, except for designated or approved smoking rooms
- Government buildings
- Education, including higher education, institutions
— Bernama
