Muthusamy Thirumeni, who is president of the Malaysian Indian Restaurant Owners Association, said those living in rural areas were not as aware about the smoking ban as those who live in urban areas.

“When you go out of the city area, there are still customers smoking in the restaurant even when the ‘no smoking’ sign was put up. I understand it is not easy for some of them to quit smoking.

“When the enforcement comes to full force next week, this may cause dissatisfaction among the smokers who have to pay the fine,” he said.

Muthusamy said as a restaurant owner, he has his reservations about the policy, which was an attempt to reduce the number of people who smoke.

“At the end of the day, we have to abide by this regulation. But I do hope the government is doing their part to reduce the growing population of those who smoke, and also curb the sale of illegal cigarettes.”

Ho Su Mong, chairman of the Malaysia-Singapore Coffee Shop Proprietors’ General Association, said the health ministry was not doing enough to reduce the smoking population.

“Imposing fines on smokers would not serve the purpose of trying to make the people quit.”

The smoking ban will be fuly enforced on Jan 1, with fines of up to RM10,000 or three years’ jail on offending restaurant customers as well as owners.

Smokers can only light up 3 metres from any restaurant.