Operation on smoking ban in public transport launched

An integrated operation on the smoking ban in public transport was launched Friday to ensure full compliance of the ruling among drivers.

The operation involved the enforcement officers from the Health Ministry, Royal Malaysian Police, Road Transport Department and the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD).

Deputy Health director-general (Public Health) Datuk Dr Lokman Hakim Sulaiman said the operation was also aimed to ensure all public transport operators would display the 'No Smoking' sign inside their respective vehicles, as stipulated under the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations 2004.

"It is also aimed at protecting non-smokers from the hazards of passive smoking," he said in a statement.

He said those who violated the smoking ban in public transport were liable to a compound of not exceeding RM5,000, a maximum fine of RM10,000 or maximum jail sentence of two years, if convicted under the regulations.

Public transport operators who failed to display the no-smoking sign in their vehicles were also liable to a compound of RM1,500, a fine of not exceeding RM3,000 or maximum jail sentence of six months, he added.