Even though the smoking ban at eatery outlets has come into force, some smokers simply ignore it and continue to puff away.
Checks by NSTP at a number of outlets on the mainland after midnight found that people were still smoking at restaurants and Nasi Kandar outlets here.
A worker at a Nasi Kandar outlet in Jalan Todak 2 even reminded them that they should not be smoking, but they continued to do so.
The worker even pointed to the no-smoking sign at the outlet but it was ignored.
A woman who only wanted to be named as Haslinda, in her 30s, hoped that enforcement action would be taken although it was only the first day of the ban.
She said she had just returned from celebrating New Year Countdown at Juru Auto City and wanted to have a light meal before heading home to Butterworth.
“However, seeing some errant smokers I did not feel like eating. That is why I am just drinking tea before heading home.
“The ban is a good move. Eatery outlets are where families also go, not only smokers. So they (smokers) must respect our privacy,” she said when met here.
Health Ministry has implemented smoking ban at nine types of public places beginning today, where those wishing to light up have to move at least three metres away from the premises from today.
Its minister Datuk Seri Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad said the Ministry would use a holistic approach to educate and inform people on the ban for the first six months and will only take action after that period.