Despite numerous health warnings concerning the risks posed by cigarettes, many Malaysians still purchase cigarettes as it’s readily available at almost every corner, including mamak stalls.
In a bid to make mamak stalls a safer place for everyone to have a meal without jeopardising their health, the Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association (Presma) is urging these premises to stop selling cigarettes for good.
Stop selling cigarettes, Presma tells mamak stalls
According to a report by Astro Awani, Presma president Datuk Jawahar Ali Taib Khan said that more than 40% of the 12,000 mamak shops associated with it no longer sell cigarettes.
He also revealed that one mamak stall in Puncak Alam recently received a letter from the Ministry of Health (MOH) thanking it for discontinuing the sale of cigarettes, adding that it was a “positive direction”.
“This is similar to what happened with alcohol, where sales went downhill after several shops stopped selling it. If we aim for all restaurants to be halal, then we should also put in effort in eradicating cigarettes in the near future,” he said.
However, Jawahar admitted that Presma has limited authority when it comes to compelling mamak restaurants to stop customers from smoking within its premises.
He also voiced concern about operators being penalised for failing to prevent smoking from taking place, as outlined under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852).
“While it’s disappointing, I’m confident a solution will be made. While everything has been gazetted, I believe the monitoring officers will practice due discretion.
“I also hope inspections will be conducted at premises regularly to foster a non-smoking culture in our food establishments,” he said.
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