Over 50% of mamak shops under Presma have stopped selling cigarettes

 

Presma president Jawahar Ali Taib Khan said the association does not have the authority to act against member restaurants found still selling cigarettes by next year, but can advise them.

PETALING JAYA: 

More than 50% of mamak restaurants registered under the Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Operators Association (Presma) have already stopped selling cigarettes, says its president, Jawahar Ali Taib Khan.

This follows a report by the New Straits Times earlier today that Presma had agreed to stop the sale of cigarettes at all its registered premises by next year.

Jawahar told FMT that the association’s decision had received no objections from its members.

“This is not about profit. We won’t suffer from stopping the sale of cigarettes. To be frank with you, we don’t make much profit (from the sales),” he said.

Jawahar Ali Taib Khan.

When asked if Presma can take action against member restaurants if they are still found selling cigarettes next year, Jawahar said the association does not have the right or authority to do so, but can advise them.

“Normally, they will follow (our advice),” he said.

He said the decision was made in light of the health ministry’s anti-smoking push.

“The health ministry is very concerned (about smoking and its danger to health) and keeps coming up with new rules or regulations,” he said.

Jawahar had made the announcement earlier today after a discussion with all of Presma’s members during the association’s recent annual general meeting.

He said the decision was in line with the ministry’s call to ban smoking in food establishments.

“We believe this is the right way forward to support the ministry’s recommendations. We want to work with the ministry to eliminate cigarette sales at all our member restaurants,” he said. - FMT