No opposition to oppose the smoking ban
2019 is just around the corner. Thus, smoking ban at eateries in Malaysia will be implemented soon. The idea of the smoking ban was first announced on October 11 by Deputy Minister of Health Dr Lee Boon Chye.
Days later, on October 15, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad announced that the parliament is a smoke-free zone. Unfortunately, Kinabatangan MP Bung Mokhtar Radin was caught in a photograph for smoking in the smoking area of the parliament after the smoking ban declaration.
This led to a debate in the parliament regarding the smokers’ rights. Sungai Petani MP Johari Abdul said, “I’m not a smoker, but we have to be fair to all who have privileges in the House”. He received support from Bung Mokhtar.
A month later, in November, Dzulkefly took the lead as the influencer on smoking ban. He elaborated on the smoking ban, stating that vape and shisha that contains nicotine are also prohibited.
In December, Lee took over as the lead influencer on the smoking ban. He said that eateries will be given 6 months grace period before the ban is fully enforced. Also, 5,000 environmental health officers will be sent to enforce the law.
However, we can see that no politicians argued on the smoking ban implementation. Johari Abdul and Bung Mokhtar only talked on the smoking ban in the parliament area, not the at the eateries. The only backlash the Health Ministry received are from the coffee shop owner associations.
Politicians did not argue on the smoking ban because it will make them look “stupid” for defending something that is bad for the health?