Launderettes against smoking ban, but hotels say yes

The government is reportedly mulling a proposal to extend the smoking ban to laundrettes and hotels as well as eateries. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: A laundry association says there is no need to extend the ban on smoking to include launderettes as well as eateries, as most customers refrain from lighting up while washing their clothes to begin with.

Responding to the government’s proposal for the smoking ban, which came into force this year, to be extended to launderettes as well, Tham Ah Wah who is president of the Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Laundry Association said there was no need to impose such rules at launderettes.

“We don’t need such proposals to be studied or the government to enforce the rule,” he told FMT, adding that many launderettes had put up no-smoking signs a long time ago.

“We have already peacefully dealt with all this,” he said. “We do not need the government to make such rules. Just let it be as it is now, we have it under control.”

Tham added that such rules might anger the people, saying it was better to raise awareness of health issues instead of trying to control them.

The health ministry recently said it would study a proposal to extend the smoking ban to launderettes and hotels nationwide in the near future.

Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said this followed requests from various parties for such venues to be placed under the ban as well.

The Malaysia Budget Hotel Association meanwhile welcomed the plan, saying it would help improve the environment in hotels.

Association president PK Leong urged the ministry to follow the example of Singapore, where smoking is prohibited in hotel rooms.

“We hope the government will take steps to look into the hotel industry and prohibit smoking in rooms as well,” he told FMT.

This, he said, would make things easier for hotel owners.

“All hotel areas have been gazetted as smoke-free zones except for hotel rooms.

“When they smoke in the room, the whole room will start to smell. If the next guest is not a smoker, he won’t want to use the room,” he said.

Even though many hotel rooms were equipped with smoke detectors, he added, guests sometimes turned these off.

Banning guests from smoking in hotel rooms would also make it easier to clean up after they check out, he said.

Malaysian Association of Hotels president Cheah Swee Hee also welcomed the proposal, saying businesses must operate according to regulations.

“If there are regulations, then these must be followed,” he said. - FMT