He said the health ministry remains open to receiving views and suggestions from the public, including input gathered through the recent engagement session with owners of premises and traders.

“It was just our viewpoint following the engagement session with more than 30 premises owners and traders.

“If there is a request (for designated smoking areas), we will consider and assess its practicality and feasibility.

“This means, we’ll listen and won’t be too rigid,” he told reporters after officiating the 28th session of the Codex Committee on Fats and Oils meeting here today.

Dzulkefly said that from his own observation during visits to small and open food premises, non-smokers, including children, pregnant mothers and senior citizens, felt uncomfortable when exposed to cigarette smoke from nearby smokers.

“However, if we want to enforce the three-metre distance rule (for smoking near eateries), we need to provide adequate space.

“For instance, in Jalan Alor, Bukit Bintang, I saw that it is almost impossible to enforce this rule.

“So, we are willing to consider the proposed smoking areas, not only at Jalan Alor but in any space-constrained area, but with stringent conditions,” he said.

Previous reports said that the health ministry may consider providing designated smoking areas for dining premises operating in tight spaces, as done in developed countries like Singapore, Japan and Hong Kong.

This was because it was difficult for these eateries to adhere to the three-metre distance rule currently enforced.