Get Ready For The Anti-Smoking Campaign 2009

“Effective January 1 next year, smoking along five-foot ways and outside shopping malls will lead to a fine.”- source of The Borneo Post."

There you go folks! Don’t say that we didn’t warn you this time. Believe me this time it is for real! The anti-smoking campaign carried out by the government is getting more strict and forceful now. There will be additional ‘prohibited zones’ to be introduced coming next year which includes ban in places such as bars and clubs. Since the start of the year, the authorities together with the Kuching divisional office team has been conducting anti-smoking rounds which takes them from the airport to shopping complexes, schools, hospitals, public transportations and also air-conditioned eateries. Such places will be defined as any public place under a roof. Some smokers will also find that lighting up outside airport terminals including the parking bay is no longer allowed. The law is so that younger people are aware of the dangers of smoking and there is also a need for them to see less of their peers and elders smoking in public areas. Offenders who caught up smoking at these prohibited areas will be issued a fine amounted to RM500 for each offence. Failure to pay up fines will lead to court where sentencing can be up to RM10,000.00, two-years jail, or both.

A few of these moves were found to be similar to what is being enforced in countries like Australia and Singapore. The one being referred to would be the ban in bars and clubs. This would mean that local clubs, whether operated under the hotels managements or personal owners; would now be free from cigarettes’ smoke. In addition to that, it is also expected to see the introduction of graphical warnings on cigarette packets. Manufactures will be required to print graphics covering 40 to 60 percent of the cigarettes packaging and these graphics were referring to as what you could see on many banners/signage along the roadside from the previous “Tak Nak” campaign conducted by our government.

So, lets give all of our support to this campaign this time around. For fellow smokers, my message to you is “You might want to consider quitting that bad habit of yours soon. In other words, your new year’s resolution perhaps? Good luck. Signing out. TheWonderWoman.