By: Azlan Othman
Date: Wednesday, 4 June, 2008
Source: Borneo Bulletin

      
Dr Hj Zulhilmi, 2nd from L, at the Jaya Hypermart, where staff removes price tags from cigarettes (L) photo

Ashtrays at restaurants have been removed while no smoking signs have been pasted. Shisha is no longer available at a popular alfresco outlet in Gadong.

Restaurant owners have lauded the Ministry of Health's initiative to create a smoke-free environment and business has not been really affected three days after the Tobacco Order 2005 and Tobacco Regulations 2007 were enforced.

Bulletin found these out after a random survey yesterday.

Officers from the Tobacco Control Unit of the Ministry of Health led by its head, Dr Hj Zulhilmi, made several visits to departmental stores and alfresco outlets in Gadong.

The inspection ensured the outlets comply with the Tobacco Act 2005, display cigarettes as instructed, control the sale of tobacco products to youth below 18 years old, display notices highlighting the prohibition of sales of cigarettes to those below 18 years old and smoking sign by law.

The visit ensured retail outlets obtain the Tobacco Control Unit licence and do not sale imitation tobacco products.

"We were here not to punish them," Dr Hj Zulhilmi said. The objective for the inspection "is to deter people from Smoking. We inform the managers on such Order. The ultimate aim is to protect public health.

"It will take some time," he said, when asked on the public response that remain skeptical of such order.

Meanwhile a patron at Gadong food junction, Morris said, "business has been smoked out", referring to the smoking section of the food court, which he described as almost empty after June 1.

Jack, whose family runs a family business at Coffee Zone and Food Zone with eight branches and sublets to tenants, said there is no difference in business since the order was enforced. "It may affect business in the long term", he said.

Jack said at their smoking zone outside the food court, patronised by an average of four out of 10 customers, smokers constitute some 10 to 15 per cent. "When we come across customers who smoke, we tell them about the new order and advice them to smoke somewhere.

"We have also removed ashtrays and pasted no smoking signs," Jack said. Lunch time between 11.30am to 2.30pm and dinner at 8.30pm to 10pm are the peak periods for the food court.

Meanwhile, Rey from Fratini restaurant in Gadong said the move is timely as there are customers who complain and are irritated with such smoke. At the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf outlet in Gadong, the staff were told to put No-Smoking signs on the tables and to paste a bigger no smoking poster.

A staff at the Coffee Zone said smokers puffed beyond the restaurant area and ashtrays are no longer on the tables. Business has not really been affected, he added

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