The decision was made today at a state Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Shafie Apdal.
Sabah Health and People’s Wellbeing Minister Stephen Wong said Kota Kinabalu City Hall and the local government and housing ministry would carry out “educational enforcement” on the ban until June 30.
“Starting July 1, the ban will be fully enforced and anyone flouting the rule can be fined a maximum of RM10,000 or face two years’ jail, if convicted,” he told reporters.
He said although the federal government had gazetted the smoking ban in open-air eateries at the end of 2018, the state government did not receive any written directive on its implementation.
“This resulted in the confusion on the enforcement rules in Sabah.”
Wong said the grace period until next month would give ample time to relevant agencies and eatery owners to enforce the ban.
He said the state government was sensitive towards the health of the people and fully supported the federal government’s initiative.
“As such, we support the ban, whether at air-conditioned or open-air eateries,” he said, adding that tourists must also learn to follow this rule.
Wong said the state health department had carried out the Blue Ribbon certification, involving getting outlets not covered by the Tobacco Products Control Regulations to voluntarily declare their premises as smoke-free, since 2014.
Four restaurants in Lahad Datu signed up for the programme in 2014 and 18 premises statewide the following year.
Nine more joined up in 2016 and 2017. Last year, 24 outlets obtained the certification.
“This proves the state government’s commitment in ensuring our surroundings are smoke-free, not only for Sabahans but also for visitors to the state,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Perak Health Department has issued 3,334 warning notices to owners of eateries in the state for failing to comply with the smoking ban.
State Health, Consumer Affairs, National Integration and Human Resources Committee chairman A Sivanesan said the warning notices were issued after 5,462 premises were inspected throughout Perak.
Warnings were also issued to 432 individuals who defied the ban, Bernama quoted him as saying at a press conference in Ipoh today.
Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad has also reiterated that the government will not budge from implementing the smoking ban.
He said since the enforcement of the ban on Jan 1, a total of 13,724 warnings had been issued and 75,280 people advised until yesterday.
He added that health ministry enforcement personnel had visited 30,548 eateries, including 24-hour outlets, during the same period, and issued 76,274 pamphlets.
He also said the ministry would not consider allowing smoking at eateries after 10pm as that would be seen as taking one step back.
As for proposals that restaurants set up a special place for smokers, Dzulkefly said that would depend on their creativity and it had to be three metres away from their premises.