It’s Illegal to Smoke at Restaurants but You Can Still Vape and Shisha

In case you’ve missed it, the Ministry of Health announced that smoking will be banned at all eateries effective on the 1st of January 2019.

With smokers not being able to puff away anymore at their favourite eateries, Health Minister  Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said that the move was to ensure that public eateries are safe especially for children, the elderly and pregnant women. 

source: unsplash

But recently in The Star, Dr Dzulkefly announced that the ban will NOT include vaporized liquid nicotine (vape) and shisha. 

“As for the time being, the ban will only involve tobacco products.”

“..but for vape and shisha, we will take regulatory and legal approaches but in other legislative categories.”

Netizens have voiced out against the Ministry of Health for its move to not include vape and shisha as part of the ban.

Source: facebook

One wrote, “If you are going to allow vaping and shisha, you may as well allow smoking.”

“I, for one, don’t fancy eating in a restaurant full of fog and we are not talking about breakfast in a Cameron Highlands eatery.”

Source: facebook

Another wrote. “What kind of double standard is this. Shisha and Vape smoke is the same as cigarettes.”

“I still wonder if you really know what the idea of “Smoking Is Injurious To Health” means…… Ban all or approve all. Be fair lah!.”

Source: star2

Beginning Jan 1, 2019, the smoking ban will be enforced at all covered, air-conditioned restaurants, or open-concept restaurants and stalls.

The price for breaching the ban will be a fine of RM10,000; with eateries failing to enforce the law be slapped with a fine of RM2,500.

Also read: Govt Wants Open-Air Eateries to Be No-Smoking Zones Starting December 2018