Smoking Prohibition Areas in Perak

It is common knowledge that smoking is harmful to the health of both smokers and those who inhale secondhand smoke. In fact, studies have found that those exposed to "second and third-hand smoke" face greater health risks than those who smoke directly.

With this awareness, the Malaysian parliament has enacted acts to curb smoking in public areas. In this article, orangperak.com will list the areas where smoking is prohibited so that smokers can avoid these zones and prevent being penalized by health authorities.

Malaysia has been a member state of the World Health Organization Framework Convention On Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) since December 15, 2005. Article 8 of the WHO FCTC, titled 'Protection from Exposure to Tobacco Smoke,' mandates that member states implement effective measures to protect the public from exposure to tobacco smoke in indoor workplaces, public transport, indoor public places, and other appropriate public areas. To protect the public from the dangers of secondhand tobacco smoke, the Ministry of Health Malaysia has to date gazetted 20 categories of public places where smoking is prohibited under the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations 2004. Additionally, the Ministry of Health Malaysia, in collaboration with State Governments, has also gazetted specific no-smoking zones in various states, particularly in areas frequented by tourists and the general public. Below is the list of smoking prohibition areas under the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations 2004:

• Inside any entertainment center or theater at any time when the place is open to the public, except for any pub, disco, nightclub, or casino.
• Inside any hospital or clinic.
• Inside any public elevator or public toilet.
• Inside any air-conditioned eating place or air-conditioned shop.
• Inside any public vehicle or public transport terminal.
• Inside any airport.
• Inside any government premises.
• In any area used for assembly activities within a building, other than residential or private buildings.
• In any area within an educational institution or higher learning institution.
• In any area within a nursery or childcare center.
• Inside any school bus.
• On any floor containing service counters in any bank or financial institution, Telekom Malaysia, Tenaga Nasional Berhad, and Pos Malaysia Berhad.
• Inside any shopping complex.
• In any area within a gas station.
• In any area within a stadium, sports complex, fitness center, or gymnasium.
• Inside any building or public place used for religious purposes.
• In any area within a library.
• In any area within an internet cafe.
• In any area within a National Service Training Center.
• Inside any air-conditioned workplace with a centralized air-conditioning system.
• All Rest and Service Areas (RnR) along all highways in Malaysia.

Most recently, based on the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations 2004 (Amendment 2017), public parks, state parks, and national parks have been included in the list of smoking prohibition areas, effective June 1, 2017. Individuals who fail to comply with the smoking ban in public places can be fined up to RM10,000 or imprisoned for up to two years, if convicted.