Johor Health issues almost RM600,000 in compounds to smokers at restaurants

KULAI: Johor Health Department has issued almost RM600,000 worth of compounds given to smokers for smoking at restaurants within the first three months of this year.

Its director, Dr Mohtar Pungut Ahmad, said besides smokers, compounds were also given to eatery owners for failure to adhere to the Tobacco Products Control Regulations 2004.

“Until March this year, the department has issued 3,835 offence notices with a total compound value of RM599,150 throughout Johor.

“The compound is RM250 for smokers, RM50 for underage smokers, and RM500 for restaurants that did not display the non-smoking signs,” he added.

Dr Mohtar said this after the department conducted a cleanliness inspection at restaurants around here on Wednesday (April 24) evening.

He added the awareness of not smoking at restaurants was still low and urged eatery owners to play a bigger role in advising their customers to light up a cigarette.

“They should tell their customers that smoking is not allowed and against the law,” he said.

Meanwhile, on the operation, Dr Mohtar added that as of 4pm, some 63 premises had been inspected by 75 enforcement personnel from the department.

He said some eight premises have been issued with immediate closure orders under Section 11 of the Food Act 1983 for unhygienic conditions while 87 notices amounting to more than RM28,00 under the same Act have been given out.

Dr Mohtar added that some 50 notices were handed out for not wearing a hair net, apron, and shoes, in addition to personal hygiene of food handlers under Regulation 32 of the Food Hygiene Regulations 2009.

“14 notices are issued against the offence of not complying with the requirements related to the general duties under Regulation 11.

“Another 14 notices are handed out for other offences such as not getting an anti-typhoid shot, not undergoing food handler training course, food storage and dirty premises.

Dr Mohtar added during the operation, the department also issued nine notices against individuals for smoking at restaurants, which is a non-smoking area.