BEAUFORT: Several individuals were issued compounds on Friday for smoking on shopfront walkways rather than inside restaurants or other designated premises, prompting dissatisfaction among members of the public in the district.
One individual, who declined to be named, said he was issued a compound by enforcement officers from the Ministry of Health (MOH) simply for smoking on a staircase located some distance from a restaurant.
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He said smokers understand and accept enforcement action when they smoke inside eateries, restaurants or other prohibited public places, such as billiard outlets and supermarkets. However, he questioned why compounds were now being issued to those smoking on shopfront walkways.
“As such, the Ministry of Health should install ‘No Smoking’ signboards along the entire walkway, not just at restaurants, because the public is confused by the ministry’s enforcement guidelines,” he said.
He added that signboards should not only be placed in selected areas but also throughout shoplots and commercial premises to clearly indicate where smoking is prohibited.
The individual also urged the MOH to provide designated smoking areas and make their locations known to the public, as well as install cigarette disposal bins for smokers instead of focusing solely on issuing compounds.
He expressed disappointment that smokers were still being fined despite being some distance away from restaurants and smoking on shopfront walkways, saying he considered the enforcement to be unfair.
A Daily Express survey found that five people were issued compounds on Friday — three at a billiard outlet and two on a shopfront walkway — with each receiving a RM250 compound notice.
When approached for clarification, an enforcement officer said smokers must remain at least nine feet away from shop premises to avoid enforcement action.
