Its deputy minister, Dr Lee Boon Chye, today said that offenders would be slapped with a fine of RM250, but this would be reduced to RM150 if the fine was settled within a month.

“If stubborn and you don’t pay up, a fine of up to RM10,000 can be imposed,” he told reporters after officiating at the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) seminar held at Universiti Sains Malaysia here.

The one-day seminar highlighted the danger when microbes such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites become immune to medicines and antibiotics.

Lee said the no-smoking movement over the past year had significantly reduced the number of smokers in eateries, especially in urban areas.

“We hope this policy would gain support from the public. The non-smokers are quite happy but we hope the smokers take this opportunity to quit smoking, reduce smoking or at least don’t smoke in front of other people.”

He said 21% of Malaysian adults smoke at present.