The Penang government's move to create a smoking-free zone in George Town's UN heritage area has incensed business operators.
But the state government is not perturbed, and is willing to go ahead with its plan even at the cost of losing votes in the 14th general election to be called by 2018.
State executive councillor Phee Boon Poh (left) said: "We are not here to be popular but to implement good policies."
During a dialogue, Phee cited countries with high focus on tourism like Singapore and Thailand which have successfully implemented the policy.
"If even Hatyai can do it, where once everyone smoked in entertainment outlets or eateries, we should be able to do it too," he said.
During the dialogue, Shirley Abdullah, China House coffee house director, asked pointed questions as to how the state would enforce the policy on tourists.
She wanted to know how the state plans to designate an area for smokers and if this can be done within the outlet, as China House has 14 meeting rooms.
When told that the state wants every outlet smoke-free, an annoyed Shirley replied: "I thought this was a dialogue but you are already telling us what to do."
Foo Chew Coffeeshop Owners Association assistant chairperson Toon Koon Ku said operators are willing to work with the state but insisted on a proper designated area for smokers or "it will affect our business".
Toon, who also heads the Malaysia-Singapore Coffeeshop Owners Association, then handed a memorandum on the subject to Phee and state exco for health Dr Afif Bahardin.
'Even school bus drivers smoke'
Penang and Seberang Perai coffeeshop owners' association spokesperson, known only as Lee, was also unhappy.
"As a consumer, I can give advice to the people and ask them not to smoke as it is bad for health. But as a business operator, I cannot do it. This is our dilemma," she lamented.
She pointed out that even school bus drivers smoke while ferrying children.
"When I asked the driver of the school bus that my kids take, he told me that he needs to smoke to keep awake or accidents will happen and all our kids will die. So we have a difficult situation here," she said.
Two tobacco shop operators, who requested anonymity, asked: “How are we going to run our business if you tell people not to smoke?"
However, Phee said the state would continue with the plan after getting enough feedback from all stakeholders.
"We are willing to listen to you. We do think about the human rights of smokers too and are willing to work with you to provide a space for them as well," he said.
Phee said the designated areas would be located in an open space with no permanent roof or walls in an order area.
He added that the space would not be located within 10 meters of the entrance, temporary roofs or walls, and would not be an area that is larger than five meters.
Residential areas not affected
Afif said the state understands the business operators' move to defend the rights of patrons who are smokers.
The purpose of the consultation, he said, was to discuss with the operators on how to organise the designated areas in their outlets.
For example, the owners within the Heritage enclave like the famous Armenian Street could come together and choose the designated place.
He said the matter would be finalised by June at the earliest, and a law to enforce the decision would be gazetted in the state legislative assembly.
"It is not as easy as (merely) announcing it. We are starting by kicking off the campaign, and with educational enforcement before fully doing it.
"We hope we can work with the business operators as we are only talking about public and not residential areas.
"Within houses, the family can decide if they want a smoke-free zone. In public, who is to speak out for those who do not want a smoky outlet or eatery?"
It is learnt that only 18 percent of Penang’s population are smokers.
But the state government is not perturbed, and is willing to go ahead with its plan even at the cost of losing votes in the 14th general election to be called by 2018.
State executive councillor Phee Boon Poh (left) said: "We are not here to be popular but to implement good policies."During a dialogue, Phee cited countries with high focus on tourism like Singapore and Thailand which have successfully implemented the policy.
"If even Hatyai can do it, where once everyone smoked in entertainment outlets or eateries, we should be able to do it too," he said.
During the dialogue, Shirley Abdullah, China House coffee house director, asked pointed questions as to how the state would enforce the policy on tourists.
She wanted to know how the state plans to designate an area for smokers and if this can be done within the outlet, as China House has 14 meeting rooms.
When told that the state wants every outlet smoke-free, an annoyed Shirley replied: "I thought this was a dialogue but you are already telling us what to do."
Foo Chew Coffeeshop Owners Association assistant chairperson Toon Koon Ku said operators are willing to work with the state but insisted on a proper designated area for smokers or "it will affect our business".
Toon, who also heads the Malaysia-Singapore Coffeeshop Owners Association, then handed a memorandum on the subject to Phee and state exco for health Dr Afif Bahardin.
'Even school bus drivers smoke'
Penang and Seberang Perai coffeeshop owners' association spokesperson, known only as Lee, was also unhappy.
"As a consumer, I can give advice to the people and ask them not to smoke as it is bad for health. But as a business operator, I cannot do it. This is our dilemma," she lamented.She pointed out that even school bus drivers smoke while ferrying children.
"When I asked the driver of the school bus that my kids take, he told me that he needs to smoke to keep awake or accidents will happen and all our kids will die. So we have a difficult situation here," she said.
Two tobacco shop operators, who requested anonymity, asked: “How are we going to run our business if you tell people not to smoke?"
However, Phee said the state would continue with the plan after getting enough feedback from all stakeholders.
"We are willing to listen to you. We do think about the human rights of smokers too and are willing to work with you to provide a space for them as well," he said.
Phee said the designated areas would be located in an open space with no permanent roof or walls in an order area.
He added that the space would not be located within 10 meters of the entrance, temporary roofs or walls, and would not be an area that is larger than five meters.
Residential areas not affected
Afif said the state understands the business operators' move to defend the rights of patrons who are smokers.
The purpose of the consultation, he said, was to discuss with the operators on how to organise the designated areas in their outlets.
For example, the owners within the Heritage enclave like the famous Armenian Street could come together and choose the designated place.
He said the matter would be finalised by June at the earliest, and a law to enforce the decision would be gazetted in the state legislative assembly."It is not as easy as (merely) announcing it. We are starting by kicking off the campaign, and with educational enforcement before fully doing it.
"We hope we can work with the business operators as we are only talking about public and not residential areas.
"Within houses, the family can decide if they want a smoke-free zone. In public, who is to speak out for those who do not want a smoky outlet or eatery?"
It is learnt that only 18 percent of Penang’s population are smokers.
A survey by the state with the involvement of USM and Penang Medical College discovered that 90 percent of the respondents approve of a smoke-free state.
Since October last year, the state has restricted smoking in 21 areas including the Botanical Gardens, Air Itam Dam, Teluk Bahang Dam, Mengkuang Dam, Ampang Jajar Town Park and Georgetown Town Park.
Offenders are liable to a fine of not more than RM10,000 or a jail term of two years if convicted.
The dialogue session in Komtar, which was attended by about 50 people, also heard a talk on the gruesome effects of smoking.
Since October last year, the state has restricted smoking in 21 areas including the Botanical Gardens, Air Itam Dam, Teluk Bahang Dam, Mengkuang Dam, Ampang Jajar Town Park and Georgetown Town Park.
Offenders are liable to a fine of not more than RM10,000 or a jail term of two years if convicted.
The dialogue session in Komtar, which was attended by about 50 people, also heard a talk on the gruesome effects of smoking.
It was presented by State Health Department (non-communicable disease department) assistant senior director Dr Azizah Ab Manan.
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